Task Card #2

Materials: 2" x 3" cards, pencil, paper, jelly beans

Task: Estimation "Magic Bean" Story Problems
Time Allotted: 20 minutes

Review the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. Write story problems that involve estimation and calculation to help Jack and his mom solve the problems they face. See the following example: The beanstalk leading to the giant's castle was 42 miles high. Jack had to walk 37 more miles to the castle.

  1. Mentally estimate how many miles Jack went altogether. Then calculate to solve the problem.
  2. Review the story of Jack and the Beanstalk.
  3. Take five minutes, and write story problems, one story problem per card. The problems should require estimating and calculating using addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.
  4. Put the estimation and calculation answers on the back of the card.
  5. Shuffle the cards and place in a pile, face up, in the center of a table.
  6. Each student will draw a card and solve the problem. If that student wrote the card, he or she will pass it to another person, who will solve the problem.
  7. The other students in the group will check the solution and reteach if necessary.
  8. The student who solved the problem gets a jelly bean treat.
  9. Repeat steps 5-7 with the next person in the group.