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Figure This Math Challenges: Averages
Details
Main Website:
Activity Website:
Activity Description
Source: https://figurethis.nctm.org/challenges/c14/challenge.htm (License: Protected by Copyright (c) [i.e. screenshot])
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics sponsors this, Take a Challenge Web site that has 80 problem-solving challenges that can be used for algebra and geometry students. The site is also available in Spanish.
For this activity, we will be working on figuring out averages.
Preparation
- Go to the Example Web Site (above).
- Work through the problem, exploring the features at the bottom of the page including:
- Getting Started
- Try These
- Answer
- Print copies of Example Document - Figuring Averages and a single copy of the Answer Key.
How-To
- Review with the class the steps in solving averages problems.
- Review any skills needed.
- Visit the site and show the problem.
- Hand out the worksheet on Figuring Averages. Use the problem as the basis for discussion as a whole class, or in small groups or pairs.
- Have students work on the other problems. Gather students together and check answers as a class.
- Remind students they can access the site at home, maybe as a family project.
Teacher Tips
If you want a printed copy of the challenges/problems, follow the link at the bottom labeled Printing the Challenges .
More Ways
- Go through the Teacher Corner materials and assign "family homework."
- Show your students the Family Corner area that has tips on how they can help their children in school, especially in the area of math.
Program Areas
- ASE: High School Diploma
Lesson Plan
Warm-up
Extension
- Begin with a brief interactive quiz on the smartboard or through a digital platform like Kahoot to assess students’ prior knowledge about averages. Questions can include basic calculations and real-life scenarios using averages (e.g., calculating average scores, average temperatures, etc.).
- Introduce a quick brainstorming session where students think of areas in everyday life where averages are commonly used, encouraging them to share their ideas.
Introduction
- Explain the objective of the lesson: to learn how to calculate averages and apply this knowledge to solve real-world problems.
- Introduce the "Figure This!" website sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, highlighting its purpose and the resources available in both English and Spanish.
Presentation
- Demonstrate navigating to the "Figure This!" website and locating the specific challenge on averages.
- Project the website on the screen and explore the different features such as "Getting Started," "Try These," and "Answer." Discuss how each section can aid in understanding the problem-solving process.
Practice
Engagement
- Distribute printed copies of the "Figuring Averages" worksheet and direct students to work through the problem as outlined on the website.
- Organize the class into small groups or pairs to foster collaborative problem-solving. Allow them to discuss and work through the problems together, utilizing the "Try These" suggestions on the website for additional practice.
Evaluation
- Regroup as a whole class and use the answer key to review the solutions to the problems on the worksheet.
- Conduct a follow-up quiz or digital exit ticket to assess understanding, focusing on the ability to accurately calculate averages and interpret results.
Application
- Assign a practical homework task where students must calculate the average of various data points relevant to their daily life (e.g., weekly grocery spending, daily steps tracked by a fitness device, grades from different subjects).
- Encourage students to engage their families by visiting the "Figure This!" website at home and attempting other challenges together, promoting the Family Corner area as a resource for parents to support their child's learning in mathematics.
Documents
- Figuring Averages.png - Screenshot of Take a Challenge site
- figuring-averages_FINAL.docx - Figuring Averages
- figuring-averages-answer-key_FINAL.docx - Figuring Averages Answer Key
Subjects
- Math
- Algebra
- Consumer Math
- Geometry
Tags
math, collaboration, collaborative, critical thinking, figure this, figure this math challenges, geometry, hands on learning, math problem solving, measurement, number sense, probability, project-based learning, statistics, story problems, algebra, averages
Creative Commons License
CC BY-NC:This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.