Curated OER
Masterpieces and the Mass-Produced
Students examine "masterpieces" and mass-produced objects as they discuss humankind's inventiveness and creativity. They also analyze the role of problem solving in the creation of masterpieces and mass-produced items.
EngageNY
The Distributive Property and the Products of Decimals
Make multiplication of decimals easier by applying the distributive property. Pupils investigate how they can use the distributive property to multiply decimals. After learning the strategy, they work on some practice problems at...
Missouri Department of Elementary
A Stranger Among Us
The final lesson in the R.E.S.PE.C.T series asks eighth graders to expand their vision beyond the walls of the classroom and to consider how they can promote acceptance and respect of others within in the global community. "A Stranger...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Color Your Destiny
Class groups bring feeling words alive by creating a poster that illustrates with images and colors, but not words, the feeling conjured by the word. The posters are then combined into a mural for the classroom wall.
EngageNY
Nonlinear Motion
Investigate nonlinear motion through an analysis using the Pythagorean Theorem. Pupils combine their algebraic and geometric skills in the 24th lesson of this 25-part module. Using the Pythagorean Theorem, scholars collect data on the...
EngageNY
Solving Percent Problems III
What happens when combining percentage discounts? The last lesson in a series of 29 introduces the idea of combining discounts one after another. Pupils wrestle with the claim that to find the total discount, they need to only add the...
Curated OER
Candy Machine
Using the concept of a candy vending machine, young mathematicians explore the sugar ratios found in different types of candy. Using the provided information, class members calculate and compare different ratios in order to find the...
Brigham Young University
Flipped: Problematic Situations
An activity based on the young adult novel Flipped, groups work to make the same difficult decision a character in the novel faces. Each group is given the same scenario about caring for a mentally disabled brother personally or putting...
EngageNY
Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem
Discover a new application of the Pythagorean Theorem. Learners prove and apply the converse of the Pythagorean Theorem in the 17th lesson in a 25-part series. The examples ask learners to verify right triangles using the converse of the...
Curated OER
The Little Prince: Problematic Situation
Your plane has crashed in the Sahara desert. What do you do? Explore the possibilities with a role-playing activity based on Antoine de Saint Éxupery's The Little Prince. In groups, kids decide whether they would walk to find help to try...
US Institute of Peace
Mediating Conflict
Two's a negotiation, but three's a mediation! Demonstrate the differences between the two processes through a role-playing lesson plan. The activity familiarizes pupils with the role of a mediator and examines the types of situations...
Curated OER
Alexander And The Wind-Up Mouse
Use drama techniques to recreate the story, Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni. They engage in problem-solving as they identify the roles they will fufill in their groups for the performance. This is a motivating way to...
Kenan Fellows
Least Squares Linear Regression in R
The task? Determine the how effective hospitals are at reducing the rate of hospital-acquired infections. The method? Data analysis! Using an open source software program, individuals use provided data and create scatterplots to look for...
Curated OER
Problem Solving in Mathematics
Seventh graders discover that there are multiple strategies to be used in problem solving. They explain a problem solving situation in their own words and determine a possible strategy for solving the problem.
Curated OER
Problem Solving
Eighth graders complete Calculator Explorations, Problem -solving, and the Discussion topic as outlined in the worksheet from Lola May's Teaching Math - Extending the meaning of multiplication and division.
Curated OER
Enhancing Students' Problem-Solving Abilities
Students analyze the results of a hypothetical cloning experiment using a restriction endonuclease map obtained from an on-line data source. They answer the question, "How can I tell if the DNA I have obtained from this hypothetical...
Curated OER
Solve Story Problems: Sold! A Mathematics Adventure
Young mathematicians listen to the book Sold!: A Mathematics Adventure by Nathan Zimelman where they encounter ways to solve story problems. They then create and solve start unknown addition and subtraction equations. Resource builds in...
Curated OER
Friendship
Learners identify qualities of a friend and discover an acronym to help with problem solving. In this friendship lesson, students use notecards to identify qualities of a friend and write a definition. Learners discuss the acronym...
Curated OER
Snack Time
Students explore mathematics by participating in a snack eating activity. In this math problem solving lesson, students utilize different children's snacks as visual aides in a variety of math problems. Students receive snacks as they...
Curated OER
Greatest Common Factor and Least Common Multiple Story Problems
In this story problems worksheet, students determine whether to find either the greatest common factor or the least common multiple in order to solve the problem.
Curated OER
Estimating Solutions to Word Problems
Learners use estimation to determine the answers to word problems by rounding whole numbers. In this estimation lesson plan, pupils compare and contrast solutions using the best answer.
Curated OER
Rings and Diamonds
Fifth graders solve a problem by using systematic problem solving strategies. They determine if there is enough information to solve the problem. They solve a problem involving geometric shapes and area.
New Zealand Ministry of Education
Addition and Subtraction Pick n Mix
Teach your class how to mentally solve whole number addition and subtraction problems using compensation from tidy numbers including equal additions. They use appropriate recording techniques and predict the usefulness of strategies for...
Curated OER
If It's to Be, It's Up to Me!
Eighth graders discuss the question: How does one become an effective decision-maker or problem solver in social situations? They are given three brief scenarios and after each one students are asked, "What would you do?" Students think...