Problem Solving with Ian Stevens

Today we were fortunate enough to have professional development for Maths with Ian Stevens. Ian Stevens is from Maths Adventures. As a staff, we discussed and unpacked what 'Problem Solving' is. Here is a link to further in depth view of Problem Solving in the nzmaths site.

Ian showed and shared with us a lot of activities and games for me to try with my maths groups. A few activities that I would like to try are:

Activity

Roll 3 dice, add them

Roll 3 dice, organise them from smallest to biggest

Roll 3 dice and create the biggest number, create the smallest number

Roll 3 dice, add two - subtract one

Roll 3 dice, multiply two divide by one

Activity

2 dice

Add the numbers after rolling, if odd odd gets the point, if even even gets the point. Do this 10 times.

Pose the question: Is the game fair?

* Extend the game to multiplication

Is the game fair?

Games: Addition Love Bug Bump

How to play: Roll three number cubes. Add those numbers. Cover that space with your counter. You can bump your partner’s counter if you roll the same number. If you roll one number twice you can put two counters on it, you lock that space and it can’t be bumped. The player to use all ten of their counters first is the winner.

Activity: Value of your name

Vowel: $150 Consonant: $60

Priscilla = $750

Make a word that equals $600

Can you find the most expensive word

Values of letters: A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4….etc

Thank you Ian for sharing your knowledge and activities with us. I will try these in the habitat and reflect on how they went.