Cooperative Learning through Problem Solving Math Activities

Cooperative Learning through Problem Solving contains 28 sets of cards that encourage students to work together to solve the given problem. All of the problems involve an amount of colored squares and basic clues to solve the number of each square. The situations are basic, but without everyone’s participation, the problem can’t be solved.

Use connecting cubes or colored squares, if available or print the provided colored squares. I have duplicated the problem cards so that both squares and blocks are an option. You will need blue, green, and yellow squares or cubes.

Give one card to each student in the group and provide them with a set of colored squares or cubes. Do not provide students with a set amount of squares.

Groups of three or four students are ideal. Students cannot show each other their cards, but can only read the card to their group. Each student is responsible for verifying that the requirements of his card has been met before the group can say, “We’re done.”

Students will need to understand the words and phrases: equal to, fewer than, less than, more than, double, even, odd

More advanced problems will require language and concepts such as: half as many, twice as many, half of

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