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Using Guess, Check and Revise
Students answer coin related math questions using the guess, check and revise process for problem solving.
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What Is It?
You have to love lessons that foster problem solving strategies. This one has upper graders devise and employ their own strategy to solve given problems after they have used classics like guess/check, substitution, make a table, and look...
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Grandpa's Chocolates
It's fun playing a game of "Guess What's in the Jacket Pocket?" Young scholars read the question using the concept of doubles using mental math. They then share their solutions with the class.
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My Life in Math Class
Students reflect on their past experiences in mathematics classes - both good and bad. They identify what methods, knowledge and strategies have been helpful to them and write about them in a journal to be shared with the current teacher.
Inside Mathematics
Number Towers
Number towers use addition or multiplication to ensure each level is equal. While this is common in factoring, it is often not used with algebraic equations. Solving these six questions relies on problem solving skills and being able to...
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Punch Patterns
Fifth graders duplicate patterns, guess pattern results and identify the symmetries created. They are given an instructional handout, 5th graders replicate the patterns demonstrated by folding the paper and punching the appropriate...
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Estimation Contest
Students explore the concept of estimation. In this estimation instructional activity, students estimate the number of Cheerios in their cup. Students then determine the number of Cheerios in the entire box using what they know about...
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Word Problem Solving Strategies Cookies
In this story problem worksheet, students read about Ralph and Sandra splitting up the cookies they baked. Students use division and multiplication to figure out how many cookies Ralph and Sandra started with. This worksheet contains 10...
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The Tiled Courtyard
Fifth graders use the guess and check technique to solve a problem involving transformations. They work with a grid and criteria provided by the teacher to solve a sequence with black and white rows.
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Block It Game
Students use problem solving strategies such as guess and check and visualization to play the game. They use mental mathematics to decide on the placement of pattern blocks and look for patterns.
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Robots
Fourth graders devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (guess and check, make a drawing, use equipment). The use of logical reasoning is a focus of this lesson.
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A Fishy Problem
Students survey the problems involved in finding a solution to a practical problem using a mathematical process. Students make sensible estimates and check the reasonableness of their answers. Students report the results of their...
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The Grapes of Math
Students "think" through mathematical problem solving and provide solutions using a variety of strategies after listening to Greg Tang's book, The Grapes of Math.
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Problem Solving Process: One-To-One Correspondence
First graders observe and demonstrate a variety of problem solving strategies to solve problems involving one-to-one correspondence and whole numbers to 100. They discuss the steps of the problem solving process, and solve a word...
Virginia Department of Education
Solving Linear Equations
Practice solving linear equations by graphing. Scholars learn to solve multi-step linear equations in one variable by graphing both sides of the equation separately. They use graphing calculators to find the intersection of the graphs.
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CATCH, TAG and RELEASE
Students apply estimation strategies for problem-solving purposes. They become familiar with one aspect of a marine biologist's work.
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Money Matters
Learners practice spending money by completing math word sentences. For this economics lesson, students utilize problem solving strategies to complete word problems written on the board involving making purchases with money. Learners...
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5c And 9c Stamps
Fifth graders devise and use problem solving strategies to solve a post office math problem. They describe what it means for a sequence to carry on infinitely, identify patterns in linear combinations of numbers, and discuss the amounts...
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Problem Solving
Fifth graders read and write equations. In this equation writing lesson, 5th graders use real life scenarios to write equations. Students use manipulatives, draw pictures and make tables to understand how to write equations. Students...
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A Square of Circles
Second graders practice calculations and working with even and odd numbers. They perform mental calculations involving addition. Students devise and use problem solving strategies to solve problems.
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The Topsy-Turvy Twins
Fourth graders read the problem and brainstorm for ways to solve the problem - list these on the board for the students to refer to as they solve the problem. They work in pairs and focus on the strategy selected.
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Pigs and Ducks
Second graders use multiplication to solve problems. They use the multiplication facts for 2 and 4. Students combine operations to solve the problem and they devise and apply problem solving strategies.
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Noughts
Learners try to figure out the strategies to the game Noughts. Students logic must play a part in the process of the game. Learners apply the symmetries of regular polygons. Students devise ways to critically follow a chain of reasoning.
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Rows of Numbers
Students generate patterns from a structured situation, find a rule for the general term, and express it in words and symbols. They also devise and use problem solving strategies in a systematic way.