Intermediate Math Race is a game-like unit which is designed to introduce and reinforce students’ math problem solving strategies. In this unit, students will work in cooperative partnerships/teams to complete challenging math problems, implementing appropriate strategies to work through unique tasks. Students will be able to showcase their strategies, discuss their solution paths, and attend to precision in solving. There are 16 leveled problems for each problem-solving strategy for quick and easy differentiation.

Pre/Post Assessments:

• Use the pre-assessment results to place each learner in the correct level. If students score 100% on the pre-assessment, we recommend going up a level in math problems. Then after being instructed in each strategy, students will take the accompanying post-assessment to show growth.

Knowledge Outcomes:

•Students will reinforce mathematical operations and processes.

•Students gain familiarity in the use of seven problem solving strategies/processes:

• Make a Model
• Draw a Picture
• List or Table
• Guess and Check
• Find a Pattern
• Work Backwards
• Use Logic
• Simplify it

Understanding Outcomes:

•Students will understand when and how to use each strategy and will gain flexibility in adjusting strategies.

•Students will be able to explain their solutions orally and in writing.

•Students will gain an understanding that there may be several ways to solve a problem and will work cooperatively in persevering to solve problems with multiple solution paths.

Product Outcomes:

•Students will be able to demonstrate use of strategies on complex problems which are scaffolded to meet individual needs for challenge.

•Students will produce accurate solutions to complex and/or multi-step problems.