So Dan sent out this tweet.
Free blog post idea for @mr_stadel: What separates your favorite http://t.co/ZDWEm9jTd5 prompt from your least favorite?
— Dan Meyer (@ddmeyer) November 14, 2014
Wasn’t sure if he was asking Andrew to make a blog post or anyone, but I decided to share my thoughts!
If you’re not familiar with Estimation180…..become familiar quick!! The challenges/estimates have been great conversation starters, warm ups, and intros to math concepts in my classes for the last couple years!!!
So, to answer Dan’s question…..My favourite Estimates have been the ones that make the students do a double take! They make us say No Way!!! or How is that right?
Here is my favourite…
It’s awesome because of the controversy! Very few kids guess that there are actually 12 ounces/355ml in that glass! Most think it must be more than the can! In my class we have had great discussion on reasons. Most say the camera angle in the picture is deceiving. They get angry because they think I tricked them. From this point on they are skeptical about all given information!! Awesome! Love it!
I love this whole line up of estimates. Great discussion come out of why the tall vase has the same volume as the Dessert Dish on day 54….
….and the glass on day 57
I think the kids get a kick out of watching the video answers too!
I’m a huge fan of these types of estimates too …. ”
How many small vases will it take to fill the large vase?
by these types I mean “How many of these fit in there?” These have worked wonders for some of our problem solving skills. After we reveal the the answer we take, for example the total ounces in the large container and try to work backwards and see if we can figure out how many small containers fit. (by dividing). By using these estimates as warm ups it has been an easy transition to solve problems like…
In the past my grade 9 applied students have struggled with this type of problem. After using the “how many fit” estimates my students’ ability on this type have dramatically improved!
These are a few of my favourite things…
Again ….check this site out now…..Estimation180. Thanks Andrew Stadel!
2 thoughts on “The Best Estimates”
Hi Jon,
Thanks for sharing. I haven’t done the capacity estimation challenges in awhile, so I forgot how fun they can be.
Keep up the good work.
Hi Jon,
I haven’t used those estimation challenges before, but know that volume predictions are a favourite of not only students – but all of us!
I’ll have to bring a few of these into my class over the next couple weeks!
Thanks for sharing!
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