Enjoying problem solving (Pitlochry High School, S1)
Enjoying problem solving: lesson
Ruth is the principal teacher of maths at Pitlochry High School. She studied at Dundee and has been teaching for 23 years. Pitlochry High is the third school at which she has taught.
The S1 pupils first review the five strategies they have covered so far and then Ruth gives out a selection of problems, for which they must choose an appropriate strategy.
The pupils work in pairs, noting down their working and the strategy used. Once they have completed a problem they tick it off on their profile sheets and take a card with a different problem. Most manage five problems.
Pupils come to the board to report back on how they reached their solutions. During the last part of the lesson, pupils try a problem on one of the computers or on the interactive whiteboard or they try one of the many games and puzzles that Ruth has collected.
In the second S1 lesson, pupils are given a domino chain problem on a laminated sheet: they have to follow the plan to make a chain with the dominoes adding up to a total of 40. They record their solution on a worksheet.
| Two S1 problem solving lessons | |
|---|---|
| Description | S1 pupils work on attractively presented problems, report back and then choose to do puzzles on the computer, the interactive whiteboard or a boxed puzzle |
| Duration | 3 minutes 42 seconds |
| Windows version |  Windows Media video: Two S1 problem solving lessons |
| Mac version |  QuickTime movie: Two S1 problem solving lessons |
| Transcript | Two S1 problem solving lessons |
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