MULTIPLE PATHWAYS TO A SOLUTION

Squares to Stairs

by Heather Koerber Nunez

Some people wonder if it’s repetitive teaching math to fifth graders four times a day, year after year. Surprisingly, the opposite is true! With the mathematics department continuously researching the curriculum, we are able to introduce new teaching and problem solving methods all the time.

A problem that always elicits multiple perspectives

After working individually, they share their visions with one another and are usually astonished by the variety of ways to imagaine the patterns’ growth.

It is helpful for students to understand the different perspectives of their peers, especially when they work in groups later on to find out how many squares are Figure 10, Figure 100, etc.

Developing collaborative problem-solving skills with “Squares to Stairs” encourages students to understand there are always multiple approaches to a mathematical problem. The benefits of this mindset run deep and extend beyond academics. The possibilities are endless when we take the time to truly look at a problem or approach from another’s perspective.