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Figure This: Math Problem Solving
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Activity Description
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 and if you do not have Internet access at your school, look for the link at the bottom of the page to Printing the Challenges for printed copies of each challenge.
Preparation
- Look at the Math Index (where the challenges are arranged by math topic).
- Select a problem reflecting current math topics.
- After selecting a problem, use the links in the header or below the problem labeled Getting Started, Answer, Try These, Think About This, Did you know?, for more ideas on thinking about the base problem.
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
- ABE: Adult Basic Education
- ASE: High School Equivalency Preparation
Levels
- Intermediate
- High
Lesson Plan
Activity: Start by quickly reviewing the previous lesson's key concepts.
Interactive Element: Conduct a 5-minute math puzzle or brain teaser related to algebra or geometry to stimulate students' thinking.
Activity: Introduce the "Take a Challenge" website and explain its purpose.
Interactive Element: Show a short video or tutorial on navigating the website.
Collaborative Element: Have students discuss in pairs what they hope to achieve by solving these challenges.
Activity: Demonstrate how to select a problem from the Math Index by choosing a challenge reflecting current math topics.
Interactive Element: Use a projector to display the website and walk through the process of selecting a problem.
Collaborative Element: Divide students into small groups and have each group choose a problem to work on.
Activity: Students work on the selected problems using the steps outlined on the website (Getting Started, Answer, Try These, Think About This, Did you know?).
Interactive Element: Rotate among groups to facilitate discussion and guide problem-solving.
Collaborative Element: Encourage group discussions and peer teaching within each group.
Activity: Groups present their solutions and thought processes to the class.
Interactive Element: Use a whiteboard to compile different solution strategies.
Collaborative Element: Allow other groups to ask questions and provide feedback.
Activity: Assign a related problem as homework, encouraging students to explore the "Try These" and "Think About This" sections.
Collaborative Element: Suggest students work on the homework problem with family members as a family project.
Subjects
- Math
- Conversions
- Decimals
- Fractions
- Geometry
- Percentages
- Pre-Algebra
- Proportions
- Whole Number Skills
Standards
- Algebra: Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities
- A.REI.1-2 - Understand solving equations as a process of reasoning and explain the reasoning.
- A.REI.3-4 - Solve equations and inequalities in one variable.
- A.REI.6 - Solve systems of equations.
- A.REI.10 - Represent and solve equations and inequalities graphically.
- Functions: Building Functions
- F.BF.1 - Build a function that models a relationship between two quantities.
- Functions: Linear, Quadratic, and Exponential Models
- F.LE.1-1c - Construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential models and solve problems.
- Statistics and Probability: Interpreting Categorical and Quantitative Data
- S.ID.1, 3 - Summarize, represent, and interpret data on a single count or measurable variable.
- S.ID.5 - Summarize, represent, and interpret data on two categorical and quantitative variables.