Introducing open-ended problem solving to engage students in mathematical procedures and outcomes.

by Katherine Smith

Grades K-2, Grades 3-5

In this series of videos, we look at open-ended problems. Open-ended problems extend and enrich learning by requiring students to devise and propose many different ways to solve a single problem.

Part One: Introduction

In part one of the workshop, I describe how I use open-ended problem solving during math lessons to extend and enrich and include all students.

Part Two: Open-Ended Problems

In part two of the workshop, I invite participants to play an open-ended problem solving game with balloons to illustrate some of the characteristics of how problems are tackled in the real world.

Part Three: Reviewing the Research

In part three of the workshop, I review some of the research around closed versus open-ended problems. Then I ask participants to examine and report on the differences.