Designing Tasks for All Students

Lisa Lunney BordenMTA 2008

An Open Task:

Open in Process Many paths to the answer

Open in Product Many possible answers

Opens up with ‘what if’ variations Can open up into new explorations

An Open Task: Decimals Model each decimal with base ten blocks.

Make a sketch to record your work.a) O.46 b) 3.04 c) 1.9 d) 1.09 e) 3.35 From Math Makes Sense 5, page 118

Opening it up… If the flat represents 1, use flats, rods and

little cubes to build a robot model. Record a picture of your model and the value as a decimal number.

Repeat two more times. Share with a partner. Share with the group.

An Open Task: Partitioning Numbers

Give students a number of counters (6, 7, 8 or 9) and ask them to build different addition facts and record them.

An Open Task: Partitioning Numbers (continued)

Draw a Picture! Addition +

Subtraction -

6 + 2 = 8 8 – 2 = 6

5 + 3 = 8 8 – 3 = 5

2 + 6 = 8 8 – 6 = 2

An Open Task: Equivalent Fractions Think of a fraction. Model that fraction using your

materials at your table. Try to find as many different models as possible.

Record pictures of your model on your page.

Share with your partner. Share with the whole group.

Example Spaces: Quadrilaterals

Draw a figure that has four sides Draw another. Draw one that is really different

than the first two.

Example Spaces: Area

Think of a shape with an area of 24 cm2.

Think of another. Think of one that is really different

than the first two.

Multiple Representations

Verbal: Explain it in

WordsContextual: Write a Story

Problem

Concrete:Use Concrete Materials to

Build It

Symbolic:Write it in

Mathematical Symbols

Pictorial:Draw a Picture

Model

Learning Centers: 2-Digit Addition and Subtraction

Write a story problem

Addition and Subtraction Problems

The Adding Game

Tell me an Addition

Story

Choose any 6 of the activities

Addition and Subtraction

Cards

What’s the difference?

Roll It!Subtraction Number Lines

Learning Centers: Mixed and Improper Fractions

Building Models Comparing Improper Fractions Fraction Models Mixed Number Pictures Explaining Your Strategy

Learning Centers: Multiplication and Division Division Stories Going to the Fair The Division Debate Multiplication and Division Word

Problems Paper Clip Chains Multiplication and Division Arrays Making My Own Study Cards