Engage All Students with Offbeat Math Problems

by MiddleWeb · 08/15/2024

Try It! Math Problems for All

By Jerry Kaplan

In the article "Engage All Students with Offbeat Math Problems" (August 15, 2024), Michael Hernandez reviews Jerry Kaplan's book Try It! Math Problems for All, a resource designed to spark engagement and excitement among students who typically struggle with or avoid math. Kaplan, a veteran math educator, offers a collection of 25 math problems, riddles, and brain teasers that aim to shift students' perspectives on math, transforming it from a daunting subject into a fun and accessible activity. Hernandez, a middle school math teacher, shares his enthusiasm for Kaplan’s approach and highlights the book’s effectiveness in engaging students of varying abilities.

Kaplan’s book specifically addresses common student complaints such as “When are we ever going to use this stuff in real life?” and “This is boring.” The problems are described as “offbeat” and “open-ended,” designed to appeal to a wide range of learners, including those who may not see themselves as strong math students. The key feature of Kaplan’s problems is their “low floor/high ceiling” nature, which means they are accessible to all students but still offer deeper levels of challenge for those who are ready for more complex thinking. This flexibility allows students to approach the problems from multiple angles and reach different solutions, making the math more engaging and dynamic.

Each problem in the book is presented in three versions: a basic version for students to solve on their own or in groups, a second version with hints to guide students who are stuck, and a third version that includes worked-out solutions. However, Hernandez notes that many of the problems have more than one correct solution, allowing for creativity in how students approach and solve the problems. Hernandez found himself immersed in the problems and expressed excitement to use them with his students in the upcoming school year.

One of the strengths of Kaplan’s book, according to Hernandez, is its versatility. Although the problems are not aligned with specific grade-level standards, they address the eight Standards for Mathematical Practice, which span across K-12 education. This allows the problems to be used at any point during the school year, making them suitable for students from elementary through high school. Hernandez believes the book is beneficial for all students, including high achievers, lower-performing students, and those who may be quieter in the classroom. The problems encourage participation from a broad range of learners, giving every student a chance to surprise their teacher and peers with their problem-solving abilities.

Hernandez’s one criticism of the book is that it contains only 25 problems, which he found insufficient given the book's potential. However, he was pleased to discover that Kaplan has published two additional volumes, Try It! More Math Problems for All and Try It! Even More Math Problems for All, which expands the supply of these engaging math challenges.

Overall, Hernandez highly recommends Kaplan’s book to fellow educators, noting its potential to change students’ attitudes toward math by making it more engaging, accessible, and enjoyable.

Original detailed URL: https://www.middleweb.com/engage-all-students-with-offbeat-math-problems

Original Article

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OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com