Math Problem Solving

We have been using our knowledge of insects to create math story problems.  Our class has been looking closely at butterflies, praying mantis, and beetles, noticing various characteristics of each and studying the similarities and differences of their life cycles.  INQUIRE with your child what the difference between a butterflies life cycle is compared to that of a praying mantis.   To create our math story problems we used ladybugs and came up with a variety of different stories about these insects. We used addition and subtraction to solve the problems. It was a challenge for many of our students to show their math thinking as opposed to just giving an answer.  INQUIRE with your child what it looks like to "show their math thinking."