Shodor Interactivate: Estimating Quiz

Details

Activity Description

The Interactivate site actually has three different activities using the skill of estimating. This activity allows the user to practice estimating the results of addition, multiplication, and percentage problems. Questions are categorized by a combination of level (which determines the difficulty) and by types of problems listed. The math involved is addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Preparation

1. Preview the site so you understand how it works. Use the Help tab if available. Be prepared to demo for students. Be sure your browser has the Java plug-in to be able to work with the interactive activities.
2. You may want to start with the discussion of estimation (see Making Estimates ) so be prepared to offer common methods of estimation.
3. If you decide to use any of the lessons (shown below) under "More Ways" you may need to print some of the worksheets found in the lessons.

How-To

1. Explain the concept of estimating. Encourage the students to try to estimate rather than trying to compute the values exactly.
2. Discuss how estimation is not as accurate as calculation and therefore is not always the best way to go. Discuss when it would be appropriate and when it might not.
3. Explain the difference between close, really close, and almost perfect (almost perfect is the most accurate).
4. Suggest that the students eventually increase the difficulty level.

Teacher Tips

• This activity can be used to:
  • Introduce students to the uses and limits of estimation
  • Reinforce understanding of addition, multiplication, and percentage problems involving large numbers
• This activity would work well with students working individually for about 25-30 minutes if you use the exploration questions and 15-20 minutes otherwise.

More Ways

Check the related resources (estimation) under the instructor's tab. Here is the list:

• Making Estimates (Discussion)
• Estimation (Lesson)
• Estimating with Fire (Lesson)
• Estimation (Elementary Lesson)
• Estimator (Activity)
• Estimator Four (Activity)
• More or Less Estimator (Activity)
• Comparison Estimator (Activity)

Program Areas

• ASE: High School Equivalency Preparation

Documents

• Shodor Interactivate Estimator.png - Screenshot of Shodor Interactivate Estimator

Standards

• Operations and Algebraic Thinking
  • 1.OA.2 - Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.
  • 3.OA.1-3 - Represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division.
  • 4.OA.5 - Generate and analyze patterns.
• The Number System
  • 6.NS.1 - Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to divide fractions by fractions.
  • 7.NS.1-3 - Apply and extend previous understandings of operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers.

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