This week in our problem-solving lesson, we had a fantastic time exploring squares. Our challenge was to find as many squares as we could within a larger square. It was a great way to think carefully and work strategically. Here’s what we got up to:
The Challenge: Find All the Squares
We started with a big square made up of smaller squares. It might have seemed simple at first, but the more we looked, the more we realised there were lots of squares hidden inside! Some squares were big, and some were smaller! The trick was figuring out how to spot them all.
Thinking Strategically
To solve this puzzle, we had to work strategically. What does that mean? It means we had to plan carefully, pay close attention to details, and use our brains to figure out the best way to find every square. We started by looking for the biggest squares and worked our way down to the smaller ones.
Working Together
It was so much fun to work as a team! Some of us spotted squares others didn’t, and we helped each other think through the problem. By sharing ideas and discussing how to look for squares, we all got better and better at solving the puzzle.
What Did We Learn?
This activity helped us practice:
- Problem-solving skills: How to break a big problem into smaller parts and solve them one step at a time.
- Teamwork: Working with our friends to come up with ideas and share solutions.
- Strategic thinking: Looking at things carefully and thinking about the best way to approach a challenge.
Here are some snapshots from today’s problem-solving math lesson!
Some of the children shared their thought processes with us, explaining how they started by identifying the largest squares and then systematically looked for smaller ones within them. Aleeza said “I looked for the biggest square first, then tried to find the ones that were inside it.”
Why Not Try at Home?
Parents, why not challenge your child with a fun square puzzle at home? Here’s a simple task you can try together to help reinforce what we learned in class:
Find All the Squares!
- Materials Needed:
- A piece of a blank sheet of paper
- The Task:
- Draw a large square on the paper, then divide it into smaller squares
- Ask your child to find all the squares—big and small! Challenge them to find squares of different sizes and count how many they can find. Encourage them to think about squares that overlap or share sides.
- Extra Challenge:
- Once they’ve found all the squares, ask them to draw a few more lines to create even smaller squares inside the ones they’ve already found. How many can they find this time?
- Tip for Parents:
- Work together and ask guiding questions like: “What happens if we look for the smallest square inside the bigger ones?” or “Can you find any squares that share a side with other squares?”
It’s a great way to have fun with math and boost your child’s problem-solving skills. Plus, you might just find yourself getting into the challenge too! Happy puzzling!
Problem-solving isn’t just about finding answers -it’s about discovering new possibilities. To sum up our lesson, here’s a thought to carry forward:
“The more we look, the more we find-whether it’s in puzzles or in the opportunities around us.”