Inquiry Problems
Inquiry problems are essentially problems of the week. We start by looking at the scenario or picture with the question omitted. We make observations about what we notice and what we wonder. Then we receive the question and get started attempting to solve the problem. We work together in class one day a week to solve the problem. The problem and write-up are due on the last day of the week.
I would like to emphasize that the intention of these problems is to teach students problem-solving skills and persistence. These problems are difficult and I do not expect for them to go home and spend hours trying to solve them. I do expect, however, for them to try something and be able to explain what they tried. If the first strategy they tried did not work, I expect them to try something else and explain it. Sentence starters are provided in an effort to help the write-up process. Even if the students do not actually solve the problem, they will still receive full credit if they have shown that they made a solid effort to solve the problem and did a thorough write-up explaining how what they tried didn't work and where they got stuck. There is plenty of opportunity in class to talk with me and their peers to work on these problems.
I am including some attachments including the sentence starters to be used for the write-ups. Please let your students struggle with these problems as this will teach them greater mathematical persistence.
Graphic Organizer
Inquiry problems are essentially problems of the week. We start by looking at the scenario or picture with the question omitted. We make observations about what we notice and what we wonder. Then we receive the question and get started attempting to solve the problem. We work together in class one day a week to solve the problem. The problem and write-up are due on the last day of the week.
I would like to emphasize that the intention of these problems is to teach students problem-solving skills and persistence. These problems are difficult and I do not expect for them to go home and spend hours trying to solve them. I do expect, however, for them to try something and be able to explain what they tried. If the first strategy they tried did not work, I expect them to try something else and explain it. Sentence starters are provided in an effort to help the write-up process. Even if the students do not actually solve the problem, they will still receive full credit if they have shown that they made a solid effort to solve the problem and did a thorough write-up explaining how what they tried didn't work and where they got stuck. There is plenty of opportunity in class to talk with me and their peers to work on these problems.
I am including some attachments including the sentence starters to be used for the write-ups. Please let your students struggle with these problems as this will teach them greater mathematical persistence.
Graphic Organizer
inquiry_write-up_graphic_organizer.pdf | |
File Size: | 46 kb |
File Type: |
inquiry_write-up_sentence_starters.pdf | |
File Size: | 50 kb |
File Type: |
Below you will find a sample write up for Inquiry #2. We worked on this collaboratively in all classes.