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Problem Solving March 2003 (v 27.3)
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Use Your Head GRADES K–2
In this activity students compare the circumference of their head to
objects in the classroom. Ask students to estimate and cut a piece of
string that equals the circumference of their head. Before selecting
their own objects to measure, work as a whole group and make a chart
that lists items in the room that might be shorter, longer, or about
the same length as their pieces of string.
Give each child a piece of paper that has been
folded into three parts. As you model, have the students write shorter,
equal to, and longer in the parts. Students will then use their string
to measure objects in the classroom and record their results.
Send us examples of student work and include some information about how students approached this task.
Measurement Puzzle GRADES 3–5
Present the Measurement Puzzle worksheet to the students,
asking them to explain in writing what they think it means. (NOTE:
Click on Measurement Puzzle to have it download to your computer;
then open it in Word regardless of what application it appears to be.) Have the
students work individually or in groups to solve the puzzle.
They should find that the graphic contains a G for
gallon, Q for quart, P for pint, and C for cup. The Cs are placed in
the Ps to signify how many cups are in a pint, Ps in Qs to show how
many pints in a quart, and Qs in the “G” to show how many quarts are in
a gallon.
Challenge the students to develop other representations for the ratios
such as Mr. or Mrs. Measurement, in this issue of the ComMuniCator.
Send examples of student work to the ComMuniCator.
Pets Cost Money! GRADES 6–8
The American Veterinary Medical Society reports that Americans spend
$20.3 billion on their pets each year. Students should research the
number of American households, then calculate the amount spent per
household.
Then students should find the cost of maintaining an
entire family in various other countries. Are they surprised?
Have students make a display of the comparisons of
findings including charts, graphs, and written observations.
Find the Values GRADES 9–12
In his presentation at the CMC-South Palm Springs conference, Bob
London posed many interesting problems that addressed the problem
solving standards. Ask your students to solve one of his problems
presented here.
Find the values of all the letters a through j. Each
letter is a different whole number value, 0 through 9, inclusive.
j + e = j
g · g = d
b + g = d
f – b = c
i/h = a
a · c = a
After your students solve the problem, ask them to
create a similar problem for their classmates to solve. The problems
need not be limited to whole numbers. Send examples of your students’
problems and solutions to the ComMuniCator. Students should include an
explanation of how they approached this task.
Return to Student Problem Soving Main Page.
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This Page was last updated: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 12:05:20 AM
This page was originally posted: 3/16/2004; 11:49:06 PM.
Copyright 2008 cmcmath
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