42. WORD PROBLEM ROULETTE (Reading, Collaboration, Discussion, Writing, Questioning, Feedback)
Description: Word Problem Roulette brings together skills such as collaboration, communication, and collective decision making and is an alternative method to solving word problems.
Application: This protocol should be used occasionally in mathematics courses that use word problems.
Process: Form students into heterogeneous groups of three or four. Give each student within the group a copy of the word problem to be solved and tell them that they will solve it together. Review the guidelines of the activity: Appoint a writer for the group and have paper ready. Read the problem, discuss a solution, and make sure the writer does not write during the discussion. When the group verbally agrees on a solution and method to get the solution, the writer will record it on paper. Once the groups have completed the task, ask each group, one at a time or a random sample, to present their findings with one member reading the steps to solve the problem and another to write the problem, using symbolic representation, on the whiteboard. Compare and contrast the methods and results of the different groups and emphasize that there are many ways to solve a math problem.
Description: Word Problem Roulette brings together skills such as collaboration, communication, and collective decision making and is an alternative method to solving word problems.
Application: This protocol should be used occasionally in mathematics courses that use word problems.
Process: Form students into heterogeneous groups of three or four. Give each student within the group a copy of the word problem to be solved and tell them that they will solve it together. Review the guidelines of the activity: Appoint a writer for the group and have paper ready. Read the problem, discuss a solution, and make sure the writer does not write during the discussion. When the group verbally agrees on a solution and method to get the solution, the writer will record it on paper. Once the groups have completed the task, ask each group, one at a time or a random sample, to present their findings with one member reading the steps to solve the problem and another to write the problem, using symbolic representation, on the whiteboard. Compare and contrast the methods and results of the different groups and emphasize that there are many ways to solve a math problem.
Reference, graphics, and/or for more information:
42. Word Problem Roulette
http://mathliteracystrategies.weebly.com/three-way-tie.html
http://ohiorc.org/adlit/inperspective/issue/2009-02/Article/feature.aspx
Polya, G. (1957). How to solve it: A new aspect of mathematical method (2nd ed.). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
42. Word Problem Roulette
http://mathliteracystrategies.weebly.com/three-way-tie.html
http://ohiorc.org/adlit/inperspective/issue/2009-02/Article/feature.aspx
Polya, G. (1957). How to solve it: A new aspect of mathematical method (2nd ed.). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.