Challenging Math Strategy for Students

Using the School Day Number to Challenge Students

Sep 26, 2008
David R. Wetzel

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Challenging students to think out of the box and use math in real world applications is the goal of this strategy, so students develop and better understanding of math.

A challenge for math teachers is to come up with new strategies for getting to their students to apply math concepts. One strategy is to use the number of the school day for students develop their own math problems. For example, today is the 35th day of school and students develop math problems that result in an answer of 35.

This strategy serves several purposes; the first provides an informal form of assessment of students’ understanding of math conceptual and process skills. The second, it allows students to be creative in developing math problems. The third, students are applying math concepts in situations in which they are personally connected.

Math Problems and School Day Number

There following are examples of how students can use the school day number to create a series of problems:

School Day Number 40 and Basic Arithmetic Operations

35 + 5 = 40
80 – 40 = 40
160 ÷ 4 = 40
8 x 5 = 40

School Day Number 35 and Geometry

Rectangle’s perimeter: 10 + 10 + 7.5 + 7.5 = 35
Circle’s circumference: 3.14 x 11.15 = 35
Triangle’s area: 1/2 x 14 x 10 = 35
Parallelogram’s area: 7 x 5 = 35
Trapezoid’s area: 1/2 (7 x 5) 2 = 35

School Day Number 23 and Money

2 Dimes + 3 Pennies = 23 cents
1 Quarter – 2 Pennies = 23 cents
1 Dime + 2 Nickels + 3 Pennies = 23 cents

School Day Number 25 and Equations

2x + 5 = 25 (x = 10)
4x – 3 = 25 (x = 7)
4x – 3 = x2 – 24 25 = 25 (x = 7)

School Day Number 80 and Expressions

75 + 5
3x – 10 (x = 30)
x2 + x – 30 (x = 10)

School Day Number 60 and Fractions

3/5 of 100 = 60
3/4 of 80 = 60
1/8 of 480 = 60
1/2 ÷ 1/120 = 1/2 x 120/1 = 120/2 = 60

School Day Number 34 and PEMDAS

(3 + 2) (3 + 4) – 1 = 34
(1 + 1)2 (7 + 3) – 6 = 34

School Day Number 50 and Word Problems

Jim had 75 jelly beans. He gave 5 to Sallie, 5 to Denise, and 15 to Jake. How many jelly beans does Jim have left?

Sallie wanted to determine how many desks would fit in a classroom. She could place desks 5 deep and 10 desks wide. How many desks could Sallie fit in the classroom?

School Day Numbers and Connection to Standards

This strategy can be used in a multitude of techniques to address math standards. Examples include:

Reinforcement of math concepts and processes during and at the end of a unit

Review of math concepts and processes before a test

Making connections with real world math concept applications

Representation and communication math ideas through problem development

Use of problem solving techniques to develop a series of problems which result in the same answer

Use of math concepts such as algebra, number and operations, geometry, reasoning and proof, etc.

This strategy of using school day numbers for students to develop math problems which result in the number as the answer, allows students to communicate their math concept understanding. Also, students are challenged to use critical thinking skills to apply math concepts and processes.

Teachers are quickly provided with an informal assessment to determine their students’ level of understanding of math concepts and processes. Also, this informal assessment identifies students who may need extra help or tutoring.