Whether you call them "open ended math challenges" or "real world problem solving tasks" or "rich math tasks", engaging math problems that apply multiple standards are not easy to find. In fact, if you are looking for "just the right amount of challenge" math problems and tasks that keep your students engaged, apply the math you have taught, and meet your math standards--I can help you out!

Maybe you feel your students just don't get enough real-world problem solving experiences where they have to apply math skills rather than just do rote practice.

How about a set of low floor, high ceiling performance tasks that are scaffolded for your less experienced problem solvers?

This resource is for you!

And now available with DIGITAL ACCESS!

This set of 3 math problem solving challenges can be used in a number of ways…as whole class explorations, as small group challenges, or as independent work for those students needing something more. In my classroom, these are often whole-class explorations where students work in teams, share ideas, guess and check their ideas—and then present their solutions.

Even though they have a seasonal "twist", any of the tasks can be used at any point in the year.

The problem solving and math applications are high level and meaningful. Because grade 2-3 students may not have experienced this type of problems solving before, I have offered the tasks with different types of support. In some cases, I offer different levels of challenge.

In other cases, tables and other organizers are provided to help students see what work needs to be done and to help with precision and accuracy. The differentiation and digital access offer so much flexibility.

Appropriate for grades 2-3, depending on skill level and level of support offered or for grades 4-5 for review or for less experienced problem solvers. I love giving them to my fourth graders with NO directions and ask them to "make sense of problems" without any coaching. In the younger grades, these can be scaffolded much more using a gradual release model--or used as enrichment as well.

Here are the 3 challenges!

Great Gardening

This challenge asks students to solve a multiple step problem where they need to use a given garden “array” to break the garden into smaller plots (arrays) to fit 5 different vegetables perfectly. There are multiple ways to solve this, and the questions that follow increase in difficulty. This task focuses on the concept of basic multiplication, basic perimeter, and addition of 2 digit numbers, including length.

A Day at the Zoo

This challenge is all about “time” and students need to use the rules given them for their day at the zoo to make sure they can see all the exhibits, take their zoo train ride, eat lunch, and watch a movie about endangered animals. Students need to be able to add amounts of time under an hour and plan their schedule for the day. The enrichment options following the main task add money and budgeting into the mix as well as some basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication computation work.

Baseball Budgets

It’s time for the team to get new uniforms! Students need to keep the cost per uniform to $100 or less while making choices between different options. The focus on this task is adding multiple two digit numbers, but the task continues by using basic multiplication concepts and addition of larger numbers and money.

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These problems are meant to take extended periods of time! Please allow students to work long enough to do high quality work! These problems often take 2-3 class periods...especially if you give ample work time, pull the class together to share ideas/troubleshoot along the way, share tips, and so on.

Remember, part of “problem solving” involves “problems!” so don’t expect these to be easy for your students who are used to getting a solution quickly—or who expect there to only be one “right” answer! Celebrate great ideas and strategies… sometimes the process is more important than getting a correct answer in the end!

Common Core connection pages are included, but know that students may use a variety of strategies to solve these so they are just “connections” to help you with your planning.

Download the preview to see even more of what you get!

Don't forget that this is a part of a bundle for all seasons!

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How about my open-ended challenges for grades 4-5?

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Set 1 can be found by clicking Here!

Set 2 can be found by clicking Here!

Set 3 can be found by clicking Here!

Set 4 can be found by clicking Here

Set 5 can be found by clicking Here!

Set 6 can be found by clicking Here!

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The entire bundle of sets 1-3 can be found by clicking Here!

The entire bundle of sets 4-6 can be found by clicking Here!

Want ALL SIX? The "MEGABUNDLE" is now available by clicking Here!

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All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this problem set entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.