Sharon's Problem Solving

The Tangram Linear Equations activity asks students to use coordinates, point-slope form, and slope-intercept form to find the equations of line segments. Students are also asked to identify parallel and perpendicular line segments based on equations. Topics addressed:Coordinate pointsPoint-slope formSlope-intercept formParallel linesPerpendicular linesA rubric and answer key are provided. Tangram Linear Equations can be used as a formative assessment or math center activity.

The Circle Problems Collection contains 5 challenging problems involving circles and their properties. Rubrics and answer keys are included. The collection can be used as a packet, formative assessment, review, or problem solving exercise. Topics included: CircumferenceAreaDiameterRadiusSquare rootsCircumscribed circlesInscribed circles

The Parallel and Perpendicular Line Puzzle, Matching and Tangram Activities provide students with two opportunities for practice. The puzzle asks students to follow a path of word problems to solve. The matching activity requires students to match the required equation. In the Tangram Activities, students must write and identify equations for parallel and perpendicular lines from a graph. All activities can be solved independently or cooperatively. They can be used as a formative assessment, ac

The Slope-Intercept Form Maze activity offers students the opportunity to have a choice in the coordinates used while given the slope. Students will follow the path to find each equation and decode a word. In the Graphing Activity, students are asked to graph equations using slope-intercept form. The equations with interval notation will form the image of a sailboat. Topics used in the activities: The distributive propertynegative and positive integersslope-intercept formrational numbersgraphi

The Problem Solving Process Poster and Student Template are a useful tool to help students work through the problem solving steps. The Student Template can be used with TpT Easel. Both documents are free resources.

The Vertex Word Problem activity includes a scoring rubric and answer key that can be used by the teacher and/or student. The problem asks students to compare three equations for their maximum height and distance between x-intercepts. The activity can be used as a formative or summative assessment. The Vertex Form Matching activity includes a pdf version with an answer bank. The answer key is included. The topics included in the problem: Vertex formStandard formVertexy-interceptQuadratic formu

The Simplifying Rational Expressions Problem gives students an opportunity to find the reduced form of a rational expression. Students can use problem solving techniques to find the solutions to the accompanying questions. The problem includes a rubric and answer key. The matching activity that asks students to find the factors and simplified form of the expressions. The problem can be used as a formative assessment, activity, or homework. It can be completed cooperatively or independently. The

This quadratic activity gives students practice factoring the following: Difference of two squaresPerfect squaresEquations with positive and negative termsThe accompanying answer keys can be used by the student to check their work. There are five different practice sheets with 60 problems total with answer keys with this activity.

The Quadratic Word Problems: Decode the Message activity asks students to set up equations, factor, and solve them. Students must then check their work by solving the puzzle. Additional Quadratic Word Problems and answer keys have been added including The Pizza Problem which includes a rubric. Topics addressed:Quadratic word problems Factoring quadratics Solving quadratics Vertex Domain and range Graphing quadratics System of Equations Quadratic formula Quadratic inequality Transformations and

The Square Pyramid Roof Problem with step-by step solutions asks students to find the volume between a roof and the attic which are represented by a square pyramid and a cube respectively. Either Special Right Triangles or the Pythagorean Theorem can be used to solve this problem. An assessment and answer key are also included.

The Hexagon Maze requires students to start with a three digit number then add, subtract, multiply, and divide to find the solution. Students are also asked to round each step to the nearest tenth, hundredth or thousandth. There are additional solutions and answer keys.

The activity asks students to play the traditional Simon Says game following their teacher's direction. The students use their arms to model basic positive and negative linear, quadratic, cubic, quartic, exponential equations as well as those that are constant. There are four versions of the activity. An accompanying quiz and three equation naming activity worksheets are included. Both the quiz and the activities have answer keys. This activity teaches students the shape of basic parent function

The Algebra through Geometry Problems ask students to investigate two challenging geometric pattern problems by building quadratic and cubic equations. Students will derive the equations after going through a few guided steps. The rubrics and answer keys can be used by the students and/or teacher. There are three supporting activities that compliment the challenge problems. Topics covered in the problems and activities: Analyze patternsMake charts and tablesFind quadratic equationsUse the cubic

The Shopping Cart Problem is a challenging linear pattern/function problem. Students are asked to complete x/y tables, calculate slope, write linear equations, and solve an equation to maximize a solution. The rubric can be used by the students and/or teacher. The answer key is included. The problem lends itself to TpT Easel and can be completed online.

The Direct Variation Problems and Activities document asks students to investigate, calculate, plot, interpret, and actively engage with the concept. The rubrics can be used by the student and/or teacher. The document can be completed electronically using TpT Easel. The Direct Variation: Decode the Message Puzzle asks students to identify equations, graphs, and patterns that are direct variations. The activity can be used as a formative assessment. Topics Included: Direct Variation EquationsGrap

Students are asked to match the correct image with the name of the polygon. The activity is a good formative assessment and is available with TpT Easel. The activity also asks students to correctly name the additional images of the polygons that do not have a match. The answer key is included. Topics included: Parallel Lines Perpendicular Lines Octagon Hexagon Heptagon Pentagon Parallelogram Rhombus Trapezoid Equilateral Triangle Scalene Triangle Isosceles Triangle The activity is an excellent f

Students are asked to add any combination of the digits 1 through 9 to equal a sum using only 9 tiles. There are three sets of problems with answer key. This is an excellent math center activity and can be completed independently using TpT Easel. The activity provides triple digit addition (with carrying) practice through problem solving for upper elementary students.

The task asks students to explore the multiplication chart to look for linear and quadratic equations. Students will learn that shifting the starting x and y-values in each table will change the type of equation. The task asks students to reflect on the commutative property within the multiplication chart. An extension is included that uses system of equations in order to find quadratic equations in the form of y = ax^2 + bx and y = ax^2 + bx + c in the table. This task easily lends itself to

The Circle Property Scavenger Hunt asks students to take or capture photos (with attributes) of defined circle properties . Students have the option to sketch images. There is also a photo bank that can be cut and pasted into the table. The pdf version has 8 pages. The activity is formatted for use with TpT Easel with an answer key and 5 pages. Topics included: TangentSecantChordSemicircleInscribed angleCentral angleCross SectionSectorArcThis activity includes a ten question quiz with answer key

The puzzles give students an opportunity to practice skill through problem solving. They are good activities for cooperative or independent learning. The puzzles can be assigned in part or in their entirety and can be used as a formative assessment. Additional practice is offered through the Triangle Chain Activity, matching, or multiple choice questions. Answer keys are included.