5 Common Topics for Math

***For the two problems for class each week*** Write the problem then solve:

What terms have you learned? What laws do you use? IN CLASS: Write the problem on the board and ask 1 question from each of the 5 common topics to the left. Circle the ones you plan to ask in class for discussion. **Do this for two math problems each week.**

COMPARISON: Can any of the parts be written in a different way?

*Can we work this problem in a different way? *Can I follow the equation from left to right in order to understand the expression correctly, or do I need to restructure the equation? *Can you think of other ways to express this number? *How are the all alike? How are they different?

CIRCUMSTANCE: What concept (big picture) are we trying to learn with this problem?

*What are we looking for? *Is this problem solvable? *Do we have enough information to solve this problem? *Do I need all of the information given? *What number forms are being used? *What operations are being performed?

CONCLUSION: What is the answer?

*What did we learn from this problem?

OBSERVATION: What do you see?

*What do we know? *What do we not know? *What are we being asked to find?

DEFINITION: What does ___________ mean?

*What is __________? *What is the definition for __________? *What group/category does __________ belong to? *What other things belong to this group/category?

RELATIONSHIP: What do we need to know to answer this problem?

*What is the order of operations for this problem? *What comes first? *What causes _______? *What is the effect of __________?

AUTHORITY/TESTIMONY: What laws or maxims are we using to solve this equation?

*What laws do I need to know in order to understand this equation? *What does the answer key say? *Can we use it to teach us the solution?