After some thought, I thought it would be beneficial for this week's update to be about our Math test last week.
After discussing with the students the results of the math test, we came to the conclusion that it would benefit the class to continue on with a review of patterning and pattern problems. After working very diligently this week and next week on problems, we have decided to wrap-up the unit with a short unit task in-class next Friday, October 15.
The children are working on different strategies in order to solve problems. We are focusing on:
1. Making a t-chart
2. Using number lines
3. Drawing pictures of the problem
Sample problem:
Room 112 went to the zoo for a field trip. Unfortunately on the way back to school, the bus broke down and we had to walk back! We can walk 4 km every hour. The school is 12 km away. How long will it take for us to get back to school? (For the Grade 3s, it is expected that in addition to the above they also answer: What time will we get back to school if the bus broke down at 12pm?)
Sample solutions:
1. Making a t-chart
number of hours I number of km
-----------------------------------
1 I 4
2 I 8
3 I 12
We see that it takes 3 hours to walk back to school.
2. Using a number line
0----1----2----3----4----5----6----7----8----9----10----11----12----16
start----------------X-------------------X-----------------------X
By skip counting by four every hour, we see that 3 hours have passed.
3. Drawing pictures of the problem
Here, some children can use various groupings.
Our goal is for the children to use the t-chart or the number line where they can see a "regularite" or a pattern rule, whereby as each hour passes you add 4 km.
For students to achieve a Level 4 answer, the student must understand the question, be able to choose a strategy independently and consistently upon various practice examples and apply this process to achieve the correct answer. When he/she shows how she came up with the answer, the drawings/tables/number lines must be clear in order to effectively communicate his/her thinking process.
Hope this helps!
Mme Dungo