Problem of the Day: This is daily practice of a variety of math problems.
Children should show math thinking (plan or strategy) in the work. Answers
must be written in a complete sentence.
Problem Solving Strategies:
(1) DRAW IT OUT - This is drawing a quick sketch of the problem. It
helps make the problem visual. Drawing should use symbols or a quick
representation of the objects, NOT elaborate artwork. The focus is on the math
& math thinking,some fledging artists have a difficult time understanding
this. It is important to complete the problem by writing an answer sentence,
the drawing will show understanding & the strategy used to get an answer.
Example of problems that would be a good use of this strategy:
There are 6 cars, 2 motorcyles, and a bike in the parking lot at the
library. How many tires are in the parking lot?
If I take five green pattern blocks out of the bin, how many corners
will I have if I line them up with spaces in between? How many corners will I
have if I connect them?
(2) FIND A PATTERN - This is looking at the numbers, what is happening?
How are the numbers changing? Getting bigger or smaller, skip counting, by how
many? Sometimes it is helpful to make a table when finding a pattern. It is an
organized way to show how numbers are changing. It also helps you find if
there is a rule. When answering a problem, don't forget to tell what you see
happening!
Example of problems that would be a good use of this strategy:
Our class was growing tulips for a science project. The first week the
tulips measured 2 inches. The 2nd week they measured 4 inches. The 3rd week
they measured 6 inches. If this continues, how tall will the tulips be week 10?
Sue was making a necklace for her mother. She put on a red bead, a blue
bead, 2 yellow beads, and a white bead. She continued putting beads: a red
bead, a blue bead, and so on. She used 25 beads to make the necklace. How many
white beads did she use?
(3) MAKE A TABLE - Putting problem information in an organized way to
get an answer. Make a table or T-chart with labels at the top. Put all the
information you know from the problem in your T-chart. Add to the table or
look to see if there is a pattern to get an answer. Don't forget to tell what
you see happening!
Example of problems that would be a good use of this strategy:
Using the tulip story above, you can create a t-chart to organize the
information & find the pattern. Our class was growing tulips for a science
project. The first week the tulips measured 2 inches. The 2nd week they
measured 4 inches. The 3rd week they measured 6 inches. If this continues, how
tall will the tulips be week 10?
Fred and his dad are making soup. Each time Fred's dad puts one small
onion in the pot, Fred puts in 3 carrots and 2 potatoes. If his dad puts in 3
onions, how many carrots and potatoes will Fred put in the soup pot?
(4) ORGANIZED LIST - Finding all the combinations of a set. Start with
one number/item and find all the combinations before moving to another
number/item to start the next set of combinations.
Example of problems that would be a good use of this strategy:
Find all the 3 digit combinations for the numerals 5 7 8. Start in an
organized way: 578, 587. Now change the first digit 758, 785. Finally begin
with the 8, 857, 875. You will not miss any combinations working in an
organized way!
I need to pick out something to wear to my friend's
birthday party. I look in my closet and see I have a blue sweater, a red
shirt, and yellow t-shirt. I have jeans and a black skirt for bottoms. How
many different outfits do I have to choose from?
(5) GUESS & CHECK -
(6) WORK BACKWARDS -
(7) WRITE A NUMBER SENTENCE -
(8) LOGICAL REASONING - These problems usually have clues to help solve
the problem. Careful reading of all clues/language helps improve understanding
which leads to a correct answer. It is a good strategy to create a system to
keep track of known facts (labeling/lettering/crossing out). As you read
clues, eliminate possibilities and confirm known parts of the problem until
you completely solve the problem and have an answer. Children that learn these
strategies of being systematic and careful with reading through all clues
learn to enjoy the challenge of these 'mind puzzles'.
