Modeling: Making Matchsticks

A little background

  • In case you are trying the MARS MAP Classroom Challenges for the first time, it is recommended that you read the Brief Guide for teachers and administrators before you get started.
  • This lesson is designed to enable students to develop strategies for solving real-life problems. The problem is characterized by the use of appropriate units and formulas.
  • Before the lesson, students tackle the problem individually. You assess their responses and formulate questions that will prompt them to review their work.
  • At the start of the lesson, students respond individually to the questions set, and then work in groups to combine their thinking and produce a collaborative solution in the form of a poster.
  • In the same small groups, students evaluate and comment on some sample responses. They identify the strengths and mistakes in these responses and compare them with their own work.
  • In a whole-class discussion, students explain and compare the solution strategies they have seen and used.
  • Finally, students reflect on their work and their learning.
  • Additional resources for this lesson include: making_matchsticks_slides.ppt

Objectives

  • To help you assess how well students are able to interpret a situation and represent the variables mathematically.
  • To help you assess how well students are able to select appropriate mathematical methods.
  • To help you assess how well students are able to interpret and evaluate the data generated.
  • To help you assess how well students are able to communicate their reasoning clearly.
90 mins 8.G.C.9 K-12.MP.1 K-12.MP.2 K-12.MP.3 K-12.MP.4 8.G.A.1C
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