Problem Solving

Problems solving tasks and experiences can provide opportunities for students to reason, communicate, represent, and connect, as well as to justify their thinking.  

Teachers need to explicitly teach and support problem solving skills.  This may include the consideration of the structure of the space, resources/tools the students need, creating groups, and setting classroom expectations and practices for respectful collaboration and conversation.

Consolidation is essential to successful problem solving activities.  Teachers should plan for how consolidation of the activity will  occur in order to optimize student learning opportunities.  This may include explicit teaching, shared review, and note taking as examples.

Ontario Math Curriculum Supports

Embedded in the Teacher Resources and Sample tasks are many opportunities for students to use problem solving activities to meet curriculum expectations.

Three Part Lessons (3 Act Tasks)

Three Part Lessons are effective way to introduce concepts, build on prior knowledge, incorporate students' ideas and consolidate learning.  These lessons usually involve  Minds on, Action and Consolidation tasks.  Below are some popular 3-act tasks created by math teachers outside of the LKDSB.  These are great samples.   **The team is sharing these as samples, outside websites can change and the team is not suggesting teachers must pay for any content and do not endorse any individual or company.

Click here for a link to sample 3-act tasks.  Additional authors of 3-act tasks can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the site that opens.   Please be reminded that sites that are not Ontario based must be carefully cross referenced with Ontario Curriculum to ensure alignment with  Ontario curriculum expectations.