A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively
engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.
You may save this Learning Activity to your hard drive as an .html file by
selecting “File”,then “Save As” from your browser’s
pull down menu. The file name extension must be .html.
Read the first water slide problem to the students and give them time to solve it. Students should share equations and models with the class.
Read the next water slide problem and tell students they must look closely to see how this problem is different. Give students time to work and share their solutions with the class.
After students have had time to solve and share both problems, show the solution slide and ask students, "How are these two problems alike? How are they different?" Students should notice the difference in phrasing between problems -- "four meters longer" (additive) vs. "four times as long" (multiplicative).
On the next slide, students must choose whether the phrase is additive or multiplicative. They should pick a phrase from the list and write an equation with a variable (ex: 6 x ? or 2 + d)
The next slide has students compare two different multiplicative comparison problems, one with the set unknown and one with the product unknown. Follow the same procedure as with the water slide problems, allowing time to solve and share each problem before asking students how they are alike or different. Show the solution slide so students can see the models for each type.
After the slideshow, put students into groups of 2-4 and hand out the matching game. Students must match four cards for each set: word problem, equation, comparison statement, and model.
Assessment Strategies:
Use formative assessment strategies during the slideshow and game to determine if students can:
interpret and write equations for multiplicative comparisons
solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison using drawings and writing equations to represent the problem, using a symbol for the unknown number
Advanced Preparation:
Preview the slideshow and prepare a way to display it for the class
Make copies of the matching game, one for each set of 2-4 students. You may want to laminate for durability. Each set is color-coded, so color copies are preferred but not necessary.
Teachers will need to create a free account for Teachers Pay Teachers to access the matching game. It is a free download.
Variation Tips (optional):
The matching game could be played as a whole class interactive activity. Each student gets one card and has to find their three matching partners.
Notes or Recommendations (optional):
This activity can be used as a stand-alone activity or together with the following activities as a complete lesson: