Analyze a Problem on a Board (Boardwork)

Description

Verb

Analyze

Place in the Hybrid Sequence

  • Prepare for Class
  • ✔️ In-Class
  • After Class

Template

Students can use this group activity to study problem-solving strategies, such as solving a mathematical or statistical problem, or applying principles to a scenario.

  1. Students start with a [white]board, paper or a collaborative document divided into four sections to help solve a problem:
    1. Prerequisite knowledge
    2. Mathematical or problem-solving steps
    3. Narrative of the steps
    4. Additional sample problems
  2. One student fills out section 1.
  3. Two students simultaneously complete section 2 and 3 on the board.
  4. Another student complete 4th section.  
  5. Share results with the whole class.

Example

Adapted from The Lesson Study Group at Mills College

A problem: how to determine the area of a L-shape block on a grid.

  1. List the area equation: Area = length x width
  2. Students diagram how they solved for area with visual diagrams.
  3. Students narrate the steps
    1. Student 1: Split the shape into 2 rectangles
    2. Student 2: Find the area of a big rectangle and subtract a smaller rectangle
  4. Student 3 draws for another shape on a grid. Based on previous student work, how would you solve for this shape’s area?

Reference

Boardwork. (n.d.). The Lesson Study Group. Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://lessonresearch.net/teaching-problem-solving/boardwork/