Why
The task for this lesson was chosen specifically as a means of challenging students to apply their
additive reasoning skills to a multiplicative situation. The students we will be including in these
groups are students whom we have consistently observed to use advanced addition strategies (i.e.
partial-sums algorithms, number decomposition, skip counting) to solve number stories in class.
Hiebert et al. discuss that tasks should allow for students to invent and examine strategies for
solving problems, but that tasks must also be structured in a way that allows students to use skills
and knowledge they already possess. Our hope is that by presenting our students with an
unfamiliar problem format, they will extend their additive reasoning strategies to invent solutions
to an equal groups multiplication problem.
Although addition involving more than two two-digit numbers is not included in the PA
Common Core State Standards until grade 2 (2.NBT.6), we believe that the students selected for
this small group lesson are capable of developing solutions to this problem. Our goal is to
present them with a task where the solution approach is not immediately evident, thereby forcing
them to think creatively and invent strategies to solve the problem. Furthermore, their ability to
solve this problem will demonstrate mastery of several grade 1 Common Core Standards,
outlined in the standards section below. While our chosen task falls beyond the scope of the
Common Core Standards for grade 1, it is supported by a number of grade 1 NCTM Content and
Process Standards, identified in our lesson plan below. The applicable NCTM standards include
multiple aspects of the task, such as the ability to understand the problem as repeated addition,
visually and numerically represent their thinking and choose appropriate tools to model the
situation. Finally, the task encompasses components of the grade 1 Investigations curriculum
used by Penn Alexander, including composing numbers with three addends and the ability to
name and compare different strategies used for solving problems, as well as discuss how
different tools can be used to model and solve problems. The latter elements will be emphasized
directly during the debriefing at the end of the lesson.
Task: Solve a contextualized multiplication problem using existing additive strategies. Based on
our knowledge of our students, this task will challenge them to invent solutions to an unfamiliar
type of problem, but will remain accessible because they can use strategies that they already
know.
Discourse: The debriefing will encourage student-to-student talk, with the student teacher acting
merely as a facilitator. The purpose of this discussion is for students to articulate and reflect on
their own problem solving approach, as well as listen to and understand the alternative strategies
used by their peers.
Tools: Students will be provided with a variety of appropriate and familiar tools to complete the
task. A component of our formative assessment for this task will be making note of the tools
students select and how they use them.
Norms: Explicit expectations at the beginning of the lesson will remind students that there are
multiple right and appropriate ways to approach the problem and that each student will be
responsible for engaging in discussion around these various strategies.
Mathematical Practice
1. Students will be able to represent their thinking through the use of appropriate tools and
visual models.
2. Students will actively participate in a discussion of various approaches to the problem by
explaining their own thinking to the group, as well as listening and responding to the
strategies used by their peers.
Standards
2.NBT.6 Use place value understanding and properties of operations to add and subtract.
Add up to four two-digit numbers using strategies based on place value and properties of
operations.
NCTM Content and Process Standards (Grade 1)
Numbers and Operations
1B: Understand meanings of operations and how they relate to one another.
-Investigate multiplication as repeated addition as it relates to literature.
-Use various representations to illustrate understanding of addition and
subtraction as it relates to story problems.
1C: Compute fluently and make reasonable estimates
-Develop strategies for whole number computations for addition and
subtraction (i.e. using manipulatives, counting on, number line).
-Write numbers and symbols to represent addition and subtraction.
-Use a variety of methods and tools to compute (i.e. objects, mental
computation, estimation, paper and pencil, calculators).
Algebra
2B: Represent and analyze math situations and structures using algebraic
symbols.
-Use concrete, pictorial and verbal representations to develop an
understanding of conventional symbols for addition, subtraction and
equals.
2C: Use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative
relationships.
-Model and explain situations that involve addition/subtraction of whole
numbers using objects, pictures and symbols.
Instructor Needs
Whiteboard
Dry-erase markers with eraser
Behavior expectations chart
Observation checklist
Exit slips (to be handed out after debrief)
Plan
Task (50 min total)
Ms. Jurewicz and Ms. Varney want to plant flowers in their garden. They bought 4 packets of
seeds. Each packet has 11 seeds in it. How many seeds are Ms. Jurewicz and Ms. Varney
planting?
Task introduction
a. Introduce word problem & tools and their appropriate uses. Pass out worksheet, reread
word problem asking students to follow along with finger
b. Ask students to repeat information such as how many seed packets we purchased, how
many seeds are in each packet, and the problem were solving
c. Ask students to repeat the directions & ask if anyone has questions
d. Place pencils and erasers on table. Call half of the group to choose tools while half reread question and write name on paper. Then groups switch.
I want to keep the introduction & review short because I want students to bring their own
strategies to the problem. An introduction to the tools will be the only discussion of prior
knowledge. The students work frequently with addition word problems in their Investigations
book and shouldnt need a review of how to solve these problems.
During the work period, my role would be to facilitate students thinking. Ill be checking in with
individual students while they work to find out how theyre solving the problem and why they
chose that method. Ill also try to pose questions that gets them thinking beyond their strategy
(e.g., encourage someone whos counting by 1s to group items, someone whos skip counting to
represent that using a derived fact, etc.)
Discussion
a. Call on each student/group of students to share their work with the group
b. Let students provide feedback and ask questions (limit to 2 students due to time)
c. Once other students have asked questions, Ill ask follow up questions if needed &
provide feedback
d. If students used the same strategy, ask how we could use (a 100s chart, a derived fact)
Close
a. Exit slip: number sentence for how to add one more packet of seeds OR describe
someone elses strategy
b. Students turn in exit slip & worksheet
c. Each student brings one container of tools/supply back to the classroom
I want the discussion to be student led. Often in the classroom, I revoice students thinking to
make it accessible to the class. However, I want students to be able to demonstrate and explain
their own thinking. I also want to give students the opportunity to respond to their classmates
thinking. The student sharing the strategy will have the choice of which students to call on. I will
have asked clarifying questions during the work period, so students will have already thought out
their work.
Assessment of goals/objectives
Checking in with students as they complete the task
Listening to how students explain their strategies
Observations based on follow-up discussion (students revoicing other students strategies,
questions posed by students)
Worksheet with students solution and strategy
Exit slip: Number sentence showing how they would solve the problem if another packet
of seeds was added OR showing a strategy that someone else used
Student Strategies
Direct modeling
This is probably going to be the most frequently used strategy. Response: Help students
make a connection between this strategy and repeated addition or skip counting. Ask how
students could group items to make counting easier. Ask students to label the groups. Ask what
the number sentence is that corresponds to the work they did.
Repeated addition
Students might understand that its a repeated addition problem when they write the
number sentence. The students dont know an algorithm for adding two digit numbers, so they
would either invent their own or rely on counting strategies. Response: Suggest students use a
100s chart to see if they can invent their own algorithm or if they count by ones.
Skip counting
Skip counting will probably be the second most likely strategy. Also, students who
counted by ones may group the items when they represent them on the paper. Response: Ask
students who represent the items in groups to model how they counted the items. If students
counted by ones, ask if they think it would be quicker to skip count. Ask students if they can
think of a number sentence to represent their skip counting (e.g., counting by 5s, 5+5+1=11) to
encourage they think about derived facts.
Multiplication fact/derived fact
Its unlikely that students will know a multiplication fact to solve the problem. However,
they may solve the problem using a derived fact. Many of the students chosen for the group use
derived facts in class to solve addition problems. 11 was chosen to see if students would use
10+1. Response: Ask students to describe how they know 11 is the same as 10+1. Ask how they
could best represent this.
Possible points of confusion
Students have never worked with more than two addends at a time. Response: Help
students think about the problem, encourage their use of tools to represent the problem
Management issues
Scenario 1: Students finish work quickly and are distracting other students
Response: Ask them to solve with another tool or give them a more difficult problem to
solve (see accommodations)
S2: Students begin to draw on their paper, play with cubes, etc.
R: Ask the student to explain their thinking. If the problem is too difficult, help break it
into manageable sub-steps (see accommodations). If the problem is too easy, give the
student an additional challenge (see accommodations).
If the student continues to play with the manipulatives
R: Tell her that the tools are there to help her solve the problem and if the student
continues to misuse them, shell have to find a different tool
Scenario 3: The problem is too difficult for multiple students and theyre doing
nothing/talking to each other/coloring
R: Sit with the group of struggling kids and ask them to solve an easier problem (e.g., two
seeds per packet, see accommodations)
Accommodations
For students who find the material too challenging
I would talk to individual students to see if anyone was finding the material too
challenging. If a student was stuck, I would first break the problem into sub-steps by asking
something like Could you show me using one of the tools how many seeds are in one packet?
If the student needed further assistance, I would try to find another student in the group who
would be able to explain their thinking. If the problem is still too difficult for a student, I would
ask him how hed approach it if there were only 2 seeds in each packet. Using his strategy, I
would try larger numbers, and finally return to the original problem of 11 seeds.
For students who need greater challenge and/or finish early
If students finish the problem quickly, the first question I would ask is if they can find a
different tool or way to represent their strategy. For example, if a student used direct modeling, I
would ask if she could represent her thinking using a 100s chart, or if a student drew out the
objects, I would ask if he could group them in another way. If the problem is not challenging
enough for a student, I would ask him what would happen if each of the seed packets had another
number of seeds (between 12-20 depending on how much challenge the student needed).
Name:
__________________________________________________________________
Ms. Jurewicz and Ms. Varney want to plant flowers in their garden.
They bought 4 packets of seeds.
Each packet has 11 seeds in it.
How many seeds are Ms. Jurewicz and Ms. Varney planting?
Show your work.
Number sentence:
____________________________________________________________
9
Name:
__________________________________________________________________
Exit slip 1:
Write an open number sentence to say how many seeds Ms. Jurewicz and Ms.
Varney would have if they bought another packet of seeds.
Name:
__________________________________________________________________
Exit slip 2:
Use pictures or words to explain a way that someone else solved the
problem that is different from the way you solved it.
10
Interprets
problem
correctly
Represents
problem
correctly
Strategy
Direct
model /
counting
Repeated
Addition
Skip
counting
Multiplication
fact or derived
fact
Notation
Other
Writes
number
sentence
correctly
Comments
11
12