Taking a break from Math Worksheets

99% of typical math classrooms in the United states revolve around math worksheets. If students are not working on math worksheets in school, they are most likely practicing on worksheets at home. I am not saying that all math worksheets are bad or ineffective. As a teacher, I still believe in practicing math skills and knowing your number facts before making meaningful connection between mathematical concepts. We simply need to give our students a break from typical math worksheets. Let's look at how a critical thinking math problem can be more powerful than a whole worksheet of similar problems.

Assignment #1

Assignment #2

Fill in the empty squares with any number from zero to nine to find the smallest value for x. The numbers can not be used more than once.

Teachers can use this problem as an introduction to solving one -step equation, review, or challenge activity for their classes . They can challenge their students to find both positive and negative answers for x. Teachers can even extend the criteria to "any rational numbers" or add more empty squares to see what answers the students can come up with.

Once again, I am simply sharing my thoughts and experience as a math teacher and in no way trying to offend any teachers out there. I am willing to learn and adapt in order to become a better educator.

Mr. Cudavenguyen