Lesson Plans SET B for Grades 5-6-PDF Level 5-6 - Work Backwards and Guess & Check

PDF Level 5-6 - Work Backwards and Guess & Check - Teacher file

Pdf Summary

The Math Kangaroo class for Levels 5-6 focuses on solving complex problems using strategies like "Working Backwards" and "Guess & Check." The lesson is structured to begin with a brief warm-up and review session, followed by an introduction to these strategies, main problem-solving activities, and concludes with a wrap-up and a "Genius Hour" for creative exploration.<br /><br />The 4-step problem-solving strategy taught includes:<br />1. Understanding the problem.<br />2. Planning an approach.<br />3. Executing the plan.<br />4. Reviewing the solution to validate it.<br /><br />The "Working Backwards" strategy is useful for problems with a determined end result and series of steps leading to it. Students are encouraged to track their steps using flowcharts or similar methods, and to verify their answers by solving the problem in reverse.<br /><br />In contrast, "Guess & Check" involves making educated guesses, checking these guesses against the problem conditions, and refining them as needed. This iterative process helps eliminate incorrect possibilities and hone in on the correct solution.<br /><br />Several example problems illustrate these strategies. For instance, finding Alexa's age involves setting up equations based on given conditions and working backwards through arithmetic operations. Another example involves discerning the original combination of a bike lock by testing possible configurations.<br /><br />Exercises vary in complexity, including scenarios such as determining numbers of liars versus knights on an island, transforming tokens through machines to reach a final count, or managing seating arrangements with given constraints in a restaurant. Each problem, solved either by working backwards or through guesswork, underlines the application of these strategies in different mathematical contexts.<br /><br />Lastly, students engage in a "Genius Hour" where they create and solve their own problems, employing these strategies as practiced, further reinforcing their learning through peer feedback and creative problem-solving.

Keywords

Math Kangaroo

Levels 5-6

problem-solving

Working Backwards

Guess & Check

strategy

Genius Hour

flowcharts

creative exploration

iterative process