Many Paths, One Solution

Our math classes are hard at work problem solving with fractions this week.  There are many times when I am in class that I wish that others could have a peek at what I get to see unfold.  Why not share a taste on this blog?

In math, we begin class with a complex problem for the students to begin working with independently in their math notebooks.  After plenty of quiet thinking/working time is provided, we open up the class to discussion and ask students to share their thinking.  So many hands shoot up into the air!  One by one, students are invited to place their notebooks under the document camera and asked to then explain their thinking to the class.  The class will ask questions, compare, and confirm the work of their brave peer.  Our goal is to collect a variety of successful methods for solving the problem at hand.  On particularly "clever days" we have three or more methods.

Today was a clever day!

Here are some pictures of our budding mathematicians and their methods from class today: