Student Posed Problems

While not nearly as sexy as iPads 

 

and definitely not as lucrative as Khan Academy

I for some reason made the choice to lead a 90 minute session this morning on student posed problems. By this I mean creating a culture where students are producers of mathematics, not just consumers of mathematics.

I began by talking about classroom values that I try to instill which foster students creating good mathematical problems of their own. I'm sure there are more, but I highlighted the following:

• Promote collaboration 
• —Focus on process, not just answers
• Build comfort with unfamiliar problems
• Start with good problems
• Create intentional vagueness
• Assess as check-ins, not evaluations

We unpacked each of these values and did some math. I then tried to make a pitch for why it is important to let students create their own math problems. I first reached out to the romantics, claiming that we make music in music class and art in art class, and math should be no different. I then gave the non-romantics a list. Non-romantics love lists.

• Checks for deeper understanding 
• —Differentiate
• Model mathematicians
• Teach higher order thinking
• Determining parameters is oftentimes the “real” mathematics 
• Meaningful sharing

We unpacked these ideas and did some more math (a pattern you see?). If this was the skin and bones and hair of the talk, we now delved into the meat. 

How do you get students to ask good mathematical questions?

Of course, this can be simply answered with a list.

A. Creates variations

B. Creates generalizations

C. Creates extensions

D. Looks at simpler examples when necessary

E. Looks at more complicated examples when necessary/interesting

F. Creates and alters rules of a game

G. Invents new mathematical systems that are innovative, but not arbitrary

Ok, not actually simple. Required unpacking. And math to keep it fun. And most likely lots more practice long after this session. Finally, I talked specifically about The "Invent Your Own" Project, a 5th grade project we do at the end of the year where students deeply explore a topic of their choice. If you're interested in the nitty gritty details of the project, feel free to explore what we hand to the kids. Please use this! All I ask is that you cite where it came from and let me know what worked, what didn't work, and what you made better. For example, I'm planning on completely revamping the rubric I used for this project so if someone else chooses to do this before I get around to it in the spring, whippee. 

I next did a little student bragging and some examples of past projects. Here are three.

Model of a hypercube

Fractal made on a laser cutter

Exploration of cuts made from different paper folding

People were just begging for one last list, so I shared some non-visual examples of past topics:

• A variation on RSA Encryption
• Workbook to teach Egyptian Fractions
• Scaled Barbie
• Map projections
• Efficiency of product packaging
• Different ways to calculate pi

With the last list out of the way, we spent the last 25 minutes brainstorming ways people could start to incorporate student posed problems into their curriculum. Good times. Good times.

To those of you visiting here for the first time, welcome. Please continue the conversation in the comments. To my long time reader(s), I'm back from a pretty long break...errr, hiatus...actually, I like sabbatical. Yes, let's call it a sabbatical. So to you, welcome back.