Problems of the Month
The Problems of the Month are non-routine math problems designed to promote problem-solving and engage learners in the math practice standards. Each problem is divided into five levels of difficulty, Level A (primary) through Level E (high school), to allow access and scaffolding for students into different aspects of the problem and to stretch students to go deeper into mathematical complexity. They were developed by the Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative.Enjoy the opportunity to engage with your child as a learner and mathematician. If you'd like more problems, check out the Inside Mathematics link on the "Student Links & Recommended Reading" page.
William's Polygons
Cut It Out
Between the Lines
The Wheel Shop
Cubism
Lyle's Triangle
On Balance
Circular Reasoning
QUESTIONS TO GUIDE MEANINGFUL MATH DISCUSSIONS
What do you notice...?
How could you sort these.......?
How many ways can you find to ....... ?
What happens when we ......... ?
What can be made from....?
How many different ....... can be found?
What is different?
Can you group these ....... in some way?
Can you see a pattern?
How can this pattern help you find an answer?
What do think comes next? Why?
Is there a way to record what you've found that might help us see more patterns?
What would happen if....?
What have you discovered?
How did you find that out?
Why do you think that?
What made you decide to do it that way?
Is there another way that has the same answer/ pattern/ grouping as this?
Can you compare your thinking to a different solution?
Are our results the same?
Why/why not?
Have we found all the possibilities?
How do we know?
Have you thought of another way this could be done?
Do you think we have found the best solution?
These questions are from the NRICH site which also has many great tasks to try at home.