Children
FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS 5_PROBLEM SOLVING
(Year 2) ACMNA033, NSW MA1 7NA
Eighth shapes, explaining eighths are an eighth as big as 1 shape, half as big as a quarter, and quarter as big as a half.
PROBLEM SOLVING
Problems allow children to investigate concepts in new and varied situations. Any problem worth solving takes time and effort
– that’s why they’re called problems!
Problems are designed to develop and use higher order thinking. Allowing children to grapple with problems, providing minimal
support by asking strategic questions, is key. Differentiating problems allows children to solve simpler problems, before solving
more complex problems on a concept.
Problems may not always be solved the first time they are presented – or at all. The focus of problem solving is the development
of problem solving understanding and capacity – not mastery! Returning to a problem after further learning, develops both
resilience and increased confidence as children take the necessary time and input the necessary effort.
After solving problems, children also create their own problems.
Create 3 levels of a problem. GUIDE children through the first level using the problem solving steps. Allow children to investigate the second level
with friends, with minimal guidance. Allow children to investigate the third level INDEPENDENTly. Children create their own problem.
Teaching Segment and Video 1:
Eighths
Eighths in different ways 1
These problems are directly linked to Explicit Teaching and appear on this PDF, are embedded in the Explicit Teaching Plan, appear on the Investigation
PDF and the Explicit Teaching PowerPoint, and are differentiated into 3 levels on the Problem Solving PowerPoint.

William drew a circle, and coloured an eighth of it blue. What might the circle look like? (

Mary covered 3 eighths of her cake in chocolate icing, and 5 eighths of her cake in strawberry icing. What could
the cake look like? (
or
or
or
etc)
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or
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etc)
Eighths in different ways 2
Eighths in different ways 3
Eighths of different shapes

Susie cut a cake in eighths. What might the cake look like? (

How many different ways can you divide a square in eighths? (

These two eighths are made from squares that are different sizes.
Which eighth was made from the larger shape? How do you know?
(The larger eighth because an eighth is eighth as big as the shape so the larger eighth must be eighth of a larger shape.)
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or
or
,
or
,
etc)
)
Problem Solving
FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS 5
Eighth shapes, explaining eighths are an eighth as big as 1 shape, half as big as a quarter,
and quarter as big as a half.
William drew a circle, and coloured an eighth
of it blue.
What might the circle look like?
Hint: Change shape, and allow children to solve
again!
Make up your own problem!
http://www.alearningplace.com.au
Problem Solving
FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS 5 Eighth shapes, explaining eighths are an eighth as big as 1 shape, half as big as a quarter, and quarter as
big as a half.
Mary covered 3 eighths of her cake in chocolate
icing, and 5 eighths of her cake in strawberry
icing.
What could the cake look like?
Hint: This is open-ended as children can
change the shape of the cake, and eighth
different shapes in different ways!
Make up your own problem!
http://www.alearningplace.com.au
Problem Solving
FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS 5 Eighth shapes, explaining eighths are an eighth as big as 1 shape, half as big as a quarter, and quarter as
big as a half.
Susie cut a cake in eighths.
What might the cake look like?
Hint: This is open-ended as children can change
the shape of the cake, and eighth different
shapes in different ways!
Make up your own problem!
http://www.alearningplace.com.au
Problem Solving
FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS 5 Eighth shapes, explaining eighths are an eighth as big as 1 shape, half as big as a quarter, and quarter as
big as a half.
How many different ways can you divide a
square in eighths?
Hint: Change shape, and allow children to solve
again!
Make up your own problem!
http://www.alearningplace.com.au
Problem Solving
FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS 5 Eighth shapes, explaining eighths are an eighth as big as 1 shape, half as big as a quarter, and quarter as
big as a half.
These two eighths are made from squares that
are different sizes.
Which eighth was made from the larger
shape? How do you know?
Hint: Change the eighths, and allow children to
solve again!
Make up your own problem!
http://www.alearningplace.com.au
Problem Solving Steps (back to Problems)
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