How To Practice Higher-Order Thinking Questions For Your Math Classroom

Many math teachers know they demand to stride upward the character of math problems inward their classroom, but are non certain how to practise it.  I was taught a bang-up strategy too would similar to portion it amongst my beau math teachers.   

Teachers are oftentimes given math textbooks to instruct from, too sadly, open-ended questions are non apart of the bulk of math textbooks. However, changing mutual math problems into open-ended questions is rattling doable. Here is an thought that I direct maintain been taught that has helped to stride upward the rigor inward my math classroom.  Take a mutual math work too flip the inquiry too the answer. Students tin strength out create questions amongst the given answer. Take the work 1 stride farther past times having them justify their reply either through writing or modeling (or both.)

For example, a mutual math inquiry mightiness locomote the following:  "Find the mass of a box amongst superlative 3 inches, width 5 inches too length 10 inches."  If yous are familiar amongst Bloom's Taxonomy, I would propose this falls into the "knowledge" category.  Students only think the algorithm too calculate the answer.  While I practise believe these questions direct maintain their house inward a math classroom, they should locomote inward the minority.  What if yous instead changed the inquiry to this, "Create a box that has a mass of 150 cubic inches." Suddenly this inquiry at 1 time falls into the "synthesis" category, which is considered a higher-order thinking skill.  

Here is some other example:  Instead of, "Solve the next equation 3x + 2 = 11," flip exactly about the inquiry too say, "Create a two-step equation where the variable equals 3.  Write your equation inward 2 unlike ways."

Another example: "Find the hateful of 12, 15, 18, xx too 30."  Flip exactly about the inquiry too reply too ask, "What v numbers direct maintain a hateful of xix too a hit of 18?  Justify your reasoning."  

Last example: "Simplify the expressions 2(x + 1) + 4."   Change this work to "Write iii expressions that simplify to 2x + 6.  Prove that your expressions are all equivalent."

Flipping questions does accept time, too sometimes it is "easier" to assign the basic problems.  Remember, however, that having students problem-solve too brand feel of math volition require less review too meliorate retention.  I tin strength out assure yous that doing then volition definitely locomote worth your time.  

If yous desire a caput outset on using open-ended questions inward your math classroom, hither are some bang-up tasks to larn started with.  They operate bang-up at the cease of the yr to buy the farm along your students engaged, or whatever fourth dimension of the yr to assistance your students brand feel of math. 

                        Math Tasks for your Middle School Math Classroom

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