Can You Solve It? Mystery Math Challenge!

Directions: Read the problem below carefully. Don't solve it yet! Just think about how you might solve it.

Problem: A baker made 30 cookies. He put them into bags with 5 cookies in each bag. If he then baked 2 more bags of cookies, how many cookies does he have in total now?

After reading, show me how confident you feel:

• Thumbs Up: "I think I can solve this in two steps!"
• Thumbs Sideways: "I'm not sure, I might need a little help."
• Thumbs Down: "This looks tricky, I'm not sure where to start!"

Two-Step Troubleshooter: Practice Your Detective Skills!

Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________

Directions: Read each word problem carefully. Show your work for both steps. Then, estimate to check if your answer is reasonable.

Problem 1 (We Do Practice)

A farmer collected 12 baskets of apples with 20 apples in each basket. He sold 150 apples at the market. How many apples does he have left?

Step 1 Work:

Step 2 Work:

Estimate to Check:

Answer: The farmer has ___________ apples left.

Problem 2 (We Do Practice)

There are 5 classrooms, and each classroom has 25 students. If 10 students from the school went on a field trip, how many students are still at school?

Step 1 Work:

Step 2 Work:

Estimate to Check:

Answer: There are ___________ students still at school.

Problem 3 (You Do Practice)

Maria saved $35 each month for 3 months. She then bought a new toy for $60. How much money does Maria have left?

Step 1 Work:

Step 2 Work:

Estimate to Check:

Answer: Maria has $___________ left.

Problem 4 (You Do Practice)

A librarian has 6 shelves, and each shelf holds 40 books. She bought 50 new books to add to the collection. How many books does the librarian have in total now?

Step 1 Work:

Step 2 Work:

Estimate to Check:

Answer: The librarian has ___________ books in total.

Problem 5 (You Do Practice)

A theater sold 75 adult tickets and 45 child tickets for a show. If each ticket costs $5, what was the total money earned from ticket sales?

Step 1 Work:

Step 2 Work:

Estimate to Check:

Answer: The theater earned $___________ in total.

Two-Step Troubleshooter: Answer Key

Problem 1 (We Do Practice)

A farmer collected 12 baskets of apples with 20 apples in each basket. He sold 150 apples at the market. How many apples does he have left?

Thought Process:

1. Understand the first step: We need to find the total number of apples collected first. This involves multiplication.
2. Calculate the first step: 12 baskets * 20 apples/basket = 240 apples.
3. Understand the second step: Then, we need to subtract the apples sold from the total collected to find how many are left. This involves subtraction.
4. Calculate the second step: 240 apples - 150 apples = 90 apples.
5. Estimate to check: 10 * 20 = 200. 200 - 150 = 50. Or 10 * 20 = 200, and 12 * 20 is a bit more, like 240. 240 - 150 is about 240 - 140 = 100. Our answer (90) is reasonable compared to the estimate.

Answer: The farmer has 90 apples left.

Problem 2 (We Do Practice)

There are 5 classrooms, and each classroom has 25 students. If 10 students from the school went on a field trip, how many students are still at school?

Thought Process:

1. Understand the first step: Find the total number of students in all classrooms. This involves multiplication.
2. Calculate the first step: 5 classrooms * 25 students/classroom = 125 students.
3. Understand the second step: Subtract the number of students who went on the field trip from the total. This involves subtraction.
4. Calculate the second step: 125 students - 10 students = 115 students.
5. Estimate to check: 5 * 20 = 100. 100 - 10 = 90. Or 5 * 30 = 150. 150 - 10 = 140. Our answer (115) falls within a reasonable range of our estimates (90-140).

Answer: There are 115 students still at school.

Problem 3 (You Do Practice)

Maria saved $35 each month for 3 months. She then bought a new toy for $60. How much money does Maria have left?

Thought Process:

1. Understand the first step: Find the total money Maria saved. This involves multiplication.
2. Calculate the first step: $35/month * 3 months = $105.
3. Understand the second step: Subtract the cost of the toy from her total savings. This involves subtraction.
4. Calculate the second step: $105 - $60 = $45.
5. Estimate to check: $30 * 3 = $90. $90 - $60 = $30. Or $40 * 3 = $120. $120 - $60 = $60. Our answer ($45) is reasonable compared to our estimates ($30-$60).

Answer: Maria has $45 left.

Problem 4 (You Do Practice)

A librarian has 6 shelves, and each shelf holds 40 books. She bought 50 new books to add to the collection. How many books does the librarian have in total now?

Thought Process:

1. Understand the first step: Find the total number of books currently on the shelves. This involves multiplication.
2. Calculate the first step: 6 shelves * 40 books/shelf = 240 books.
3. Understand the second step: Add the new books to the existing collection to find the new total. This involves addition.
4. Calculate the second step: 240 books + 50 new books = 290 books.
5. Estimate to check: 6 * 40 = 240. 240 + 50 = 290. The estimate matches the exact answer, confirming reasonableness.

Answer: The librarian has 290 books in total.

Problem 5 (You Do Practice)

A theater sold 75 adult tickets and 45 child tickets for a show. If each ticket costs $5, what was the total money earned from ticket sales?

Thought Process:

1. Understand the first step: Find the total number of tickets sold. This involves addition.
2. Calculate the first step: 75 adult tickets + 45 child tickets = 120 tickets.
3. Understand the second step: Multiply the total number of tickets by the cost per ticket to find the total money earned. This involves multiplication.
4. Calculate the second step: 120 tickets * $5/ticket = $600.
5. Estimate to check: 70 + 50 = 120. 120 * 5 = 600. The estimate matches the exact answer, confirming reasonableness.

Answer: The theater earned $600 in total.

Team Puzzle Challenge: Together We Piece It!

Objective

To practice non-verbal communication, problem-solving, and collaborative effort in a team setting.

Materials

• Several simple puzzles (4-6 pieces each), printed and cut out.
• Envelopes or small bags to hold each set of puzzle pieces.
• Timer (optional)

Instructions

1. Form Teams (2 minutes): Divide students into small groups of 3-4.
   
2. Distribute Puzzles (1 minute): Give each team an envelope containing the pieces of one complete puzzle.
3. Round 1: Silent Challenge (5-7 minutes):
   
   • Rule: For the first 5-7 minutes, teams must try to solve their puzzle without speaking.
   • Focus: Encourage students to use gestures, eye contact, and other non-verbal cues to communicate with their teammates.
   • Teacher Role: Observe how students communicate non-verbally. Do not intervene unless a team is completely stuck and frustrated.
4. Round 2: Talking Time! (5-7 minutes):
   
   • Rule: After the silent round, announce that teams can now talk and communicate freely to finish their puzzle.
   • Focus: Encourage clear communication, active listening, and sharing ideas.
   • Teacher Role: Continue to observe, noting any shifts in team dynamics or effectiveness.
5. Discussion Prep (2 minutes): Once most teams have finished or time is called, ask students to keep their puzzles assembled and prepare to discuss their experience.

Debrief Questions (to be discussed during Teamwork Talk Discussion)

• How challenging was it to work without talking at first? What did you try to do?
• What non-verbal signals did you use or notice your teammates using?
• How did the puzzle-solving change once you were allowed to talk?
• What was easier or harder when you could speak?
• What did this activity teach you about the importance of different types of communication?

Human Knot: Untangle Together!

Objective

To practice problem-solving, physical cooperation, communication, and patience in a group setting.

Materials

• None (just an open space for students to stand in circles).

Instructions

1. Form Circles (2 minutes): Have students stand in small circles of 6-8 people. If you have a larger class, you can have multiple circles going on simultaneously.
2. Reach In (1 minute): Ask everyone to reach their right hand across the circle and grasp the right hand of a different person.
   • Important: Make sure they are holding hands with someone not immediately next to them.
3. Reach Again (1 minute): Now, ask everyone to reach their left hand across the circle and grasp the left hand of a different person.
   • Important: They should not be holding hands with the same person they are holding with their right hand, nor with someone immediately next to them. This creates the "human knot." Make sure all hands are firmly but gently held.
4. The Untangle Challenge (8-10 minutes):
   
   • Rule: Without letting go of anyone's hands, the team must work together to untangle themselves into a single, unbroken circle. If the group is larger, they might untangle into two interlocking circles.
   • Focus: Encourage communication, patience, gentle movements, and collaborative problem-solving. This isn't a race!
   • Teacher Role: Circulate among the groups, offering encouragement. If a group gets stuck, you can prompt them with questions like, "What's one small move you could try?" or "Who is holding hands in a way that creates a block?" Remind them to communicate their ideas.
5. Re-do (Optional, 2 minutes): If a group untangles quickly, challenge them to try it again, perhaps with a slightly larger circle or by asking them to make it into a specific number of circles.

Debrief Questions (to be discussed during Teamwork Talk Discussion)

• What strategies did your team use to untangle the knot?
• How important was communication in this activity? Were there times it was hard to communicate?
• Did anyone take on a leadership role, or did everyone contribute equally?
• What did you learn about patience and persistence when working with others?

Teamwork Talk: Reflecting on Our Cooperation Crew!

Objective

To facilitate reflection on the challenges and successes of working in a team, emphasizing the application of communication, listening, and problem-solving skills.

Instructions

1. Opening the Discussion (2 minutes): Begin by gathering students in a circle or comfortable discussion setup. Remind them of the day's mission: to become