Learning Log Task Wythnos 7

Problem Solving Activity.

Due: Monday 31st October 2016

This half term we have been busy looking at the problem solving strategy of acting out or using concrete material.  Acting out the problem is a strategy in which the pupils physically act out what is taking place in a word problem. When given a written word problem in math, the children can discuss the critical elements of the text including what the problem is asking and which aspects are relevant or irrelevant. Then, problems can be acted out by actual pupils, who may use props to illustrate what is taking place in the problem.

Navigating word problems can be challenging for many reasons including academic vocabulary, reading level requirements and the multiple steps involved. Acting out the problem can bring the problem to life, helping the children to conceptually understand what the task involves and aiding in comprehension and problem-solving. Additionally, this strategy may increase motivation and add personal relevance to the problem-solving process.

Please ask your child to choose from one of the following problems and complete them in their learning logs.

Problem 1

Around each circular table there is room for 5 children.  how many children can be seated around five tables?

Problem 2

A baker makes 120 cake.  He displays them in the window of his shop on trays of equal amounts. How many different ways can they be displayed?

Problem 3

There are two families of frogs – purple and blue.  Each family contains 3 frogs.  The purple frogs live on the left of the pond, the blue frogs on the right.  The purple frogs want to get to the right side of the pond as they think the blue frogs get the juiciest flies.  The blue frogs, on the other hand, think the purple frogs get fatter flies and want to get to the left of the pond.  There are 7 lily pads which the frogs must use to cross the pond.  Frogs can only jump to EMPTY lily pads.  Frogs can only jump over ONE other frog at a time. Frogs don’t know how to jump backwards!  Work out how the families swap sides.  What is the smallest number of jumps they have to make to get there?

If you enjoyed theses challenges why not try and write your own.

Many thanks

Mrs Rees