Math is Yummy! A Problem-Solving Class for Mathematical Minds

This ongoing class will follow the format of a 3-Act Task for mathematical problem-solving and is absolutely packed with great mathematical thinking skills! 

𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝟏: At the beginning of each class, students will be presented with an intriguing, food-themed scenario. Together, we will work to ask questions and develop our own problems for solving, determine what information we need to solve the problem, and make estimates. 
𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝟐:Next, some more information about the scenario will be shared, which we will use to make revisions to our estimates and then work together to solve the problem. 
𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝟑: Students will share solutions, strategies and questions that came up as they worked through their problem-solving. We'll compare our final solutions to our estimates and debrief on our problem-solving and thinking processes, discussing what worked and what didn't.

This class will run for fifteen weeks and then the lessons will repeat. Each class can function as a stand-alone class, so your learner can join for just one or all fifteen classes! 

3-Act Tasks for math are a great way to challenge and extend learners and develop critical thinking skills. Many students will find these problems challenging, others they may find easier. However, my emphasis in this class is always on mathematical thinking and questioning and the process of arriving at an answer rather than on the answer itself. Learners are always encouraged to find more than one way to solve a problem and to explain their thinking to others, which adds an additional layer of challenge for many learners beyond doing calculations. I strive to ensure that all learners are challenged and stretched with every lesson! Students will be guided through the process of creating and solving their own math problems. I strongly believe there is tremendous value in the process of developing these kinds of mathematical thinking skills (asking questions, determining needed information, estimating, revising estimates based on new information, etc.) even if students are not able to arrive at one correct answer at the end of the process, and this is something we will discuss often in class as well.  There is going to be a lot of great learning, discussion, and growing happening here and I hope your learner will join us!

**Ideally, your learner will already know how to add and subtract numbers as these operations will be used in many of the problems we work on. However, they do not need to have knowledge of all the content or vocabulary needed as I will make sure they know what they need to be able to solve the problems (for example: It sounds like we're trying to figure out the capacity of the container. Does everyone know what capacity means?) I will always provide guidance and scaffolding where needed to help your learner be successful. Many of the lessons will provide a great introduction to beginning multiplication skills and seeing the connection between multiplication and repeated addition, but again your learner will be better prepared if they are already able to add and subtract at least within 20. **

Please note there is another version of this class for older learners ages 9-11. You can find the link to that class here: 
https://outschool.com/classes/math-is-yummy-a-problem-solving-class-for-mathematical-minds-ages-9-11-71MG2SVd?usid=nD85Y1ms&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link


Week of Sept. 3  Whopper of a Problem
Content: Addition and subtraction within 50

Week of Sept. 10  Cookie Monster
Content: Addition and subtraction within 100

Week of Sept. 17  S’more graham crackers
Content: Addition and subtraction within 100

Week of Sept. 24. Pringle Ringle
Content: Addition and subtraction within 50

Week of Oct. 1 Sliced Up
Content: Fractions; working with quarters and wholes

Week of Oct. 8 Snack Machine
Content: Addition and subtraction within 100, counting money

Week of Oct. 15 Bag of Chips
Content: Addition and subtraction within 20

Week of Oct. 22 FALL BREAK

Week of Oct. 29 Ghost candy
Content: Addition and subtraction within 20

Week of Nov. 5 Apple Farm
Content: Addition and subtraction within 10

Week of Nov. 12 Lemonade Stand
Content: liquid capacity

Week of Nov. 19 M&M fight
Content: Addition and subtraction within 20

Week of Nov. 26 Fun Size Adding
Content: Addition and subtraction within 20

Week of Dec. 3 Stolen Skittles
Content: Addition and subtraction within 100

Week of Dec. 10 Humpty Dumpty
Content: Addition and subtraction within 20

Week of Dec. 17 The Candy man
Content: Addition and subtraction within 10

Week of Dec. 24 WINTER HOLIDAY
Week of Dec. 31 WINTER HOLIDAY

Class will resume the week of January 7th, 2024 and the above-listed lessons will repeat.