Review the following problems (below). Solve each problem and as you do record how you went about solving each one (this is for your benefit)
Then on the DB this week – discuss each problem, and the method you used to solve it. Compare difficulty and methods used to solve each one. Which was the easiest & most challenging? Why? Then determine the types/categories of problems are they “routine or non-routine”?
Problems to solve
Problem 1 – Out in a field there are two horses and four cows. How many legs and tails are there?
Problem 2 – John and Lindsey have bicycles. Jolene has a tricycle. How many wheels are there?
Problem 3 – José has one mother dog and four puppies. Two puppies get outside into a mud puddle. How many muddy feet are there? How many feet altogether?
Problem 4 – It is snack time. You can select five snacks from carrot sticks and cheese fish. Make your selections.
Is your head spinning yet?
This process is not so much about getting your math correct (although important but I’m not grading your math) but going through the process of problem-solving and how we develop concepts! So no math anxiety : )
Part of early math learning is to help children learn to problem-solve and think through solutions and ways to solve problems. It can be as simple as figuring out where a puzzle piece goes or how to build a block tower.
