I get asked frequently if anyone is compiling 3-Act Math stories in the style of Dan Meyer or learning through problem solving activities specifically for elementary school. I’m not aware of anyone cataloguing them at the elementary level, probably because most elementary school teachers have to teach everything, not just math. It’s daunting, and probably hard to focus so much on one subject. Here’s the thing that occurred to me, though. Because Act I is typically completely visual, and we ask students what THEY wonder about, won’t they automatically wonder about things at their own level? I think that many of the ones presented on this blog would work in an elementary classroom with minor tweaks to Act II (and maybe Act III). I’ll use the ticket roll video I posted yesterday to explain.
Act I – Same Video Used for High School Students https://vimeo.com/69124531
I assume elementary school students will also wonder how far Sarah will get. The high school kids will get dimensions of a ticket and work with area and volume to determine how many tickets are on the roll. What if we just change the Act II information we provide for elementary school students?
Act II – Modified for Elementary School Tell the students that there are 2000 tickets on the roll, and show them the video below. https://vimeo.com/69173213
Act III – Same Video Used for High School Students Play the same answer video from my previous post. The answer is the same. The payoff is the same. The math is more elementary. https://vimeo.com/69123114 The answer the will come up with (by dividing) is actually a little too close. I was hoping it would be messier in the end so the students could discuss why it might not have been so accurate.
Well this is a little too timely. Got my first K-8 workshop next month. Obliged, mate.
Glad I might have helped in some small way. Looking back over some other ones to see which could also be presented this wey.
Very good way to look at it. As I was creating the directory of real world math tasks organized by expectation and grade, I was hoping it doesn’t scare off teachers from any one particular grade. Tried to be as general as possible when aligning to curriculum expectations, but even then I wonder if some might avoid a problem because it is “too advanced.”
Hope all is well! Cheers!
Thank you for posting this. My belief is the same – that we can adapt any 3 act or problem to any grade level based simply on the questions we ask, the information we give and the answers we are searching for. It is my belief that the distinctions between the types of mathematics extracted from a lesson are subtle but crucial to mastery in education.
You know what’s fun?! Uploading these things to 101qs.com so people can download them with one click!
I do need to start adding more to 101qs…
Have you had a chance to check out the directory I’m working on of 3 act tasks organized by grade and Ontario expectations? Currently tagging common core standards to make it relevant for my Neighbours to the south.
You mean this one? http://www.101qs.com/2298-dans-ticket-roll-reworked That I uploaded a month ago?
Well played, Scammer
Zinger! Thanks, bud. But think about adding the rest of the material, huh? Big bummer going to three diff. Vimeo sites and locating the download link there, versus one-click and you’re off to the races at 101questions. In any case, looking forward to using it with this group of elem. teachers today.
I’d love to hear how they react to your 3 Acts and what you learn from it. Somehow, the enhanced functionality of 101qs.com snuck by me. I will get all three acts in one place for you as soon as I can.