Little Pigs with Big Problems

Designed by: Helen McGough, Arden Elementary

Grade Level: First Grade  Subject(s): Math

1) Core Curriculum Objective: Develop and justify appropriate strategies for solving problems using logical reasoning. (1–PS131)

2) Overview:

Students will be given one problem to solve per day regarding the story Three Little Pigs. Students will use their math journals. They may draw pictures or solve the problem any way that is comfortable for them.

Good piggy-back for Little Pig, Little Pig Language Arts Lesson. May be used at the beginning of a math lesson to get students thinking or as an extension for those that finish early.

3) Essential Questions:

What is the question asking me to do?

What numbers do I need?

What do I need to do to get the answer?

Did I do what the question asked me to do?

4) Time Frame:

Five – 15 minute math periods

5) Resources:

Kurth, Mary J. (1996) Math In My World, Creative Teaching Press, Inc. Cyress, CA 90630.

http://www.mathstories.com

http://www.teachernet.com

http://k-6educators.miningco.com

6) Materials:

Math journals

Different versions of the Three Little Pigs

Pencils/crayons

7) Assessment:

Students will use logical reasoning to solve the problem.

8) Rubric:

9) Instructional Activities:

Objective:

Develop and justify appropriate strategies for solving problems using logical reasoning.

Teacher will read different versions of the Three Little Pigs to refresh students memories.

Teacher will instruct students to take out their math journals and open to the next empty page. Tell them that they are going to be problem solvers today because there is some information that you need to know. Instruct them that they are going to have to think to be able to answer the question for you.

Remind them that you have been reading about the Three Little Pigs, but there are some things that the story did not tell us. They can answer the problem by drawing a picture or writing the words, however they feel comfortable working.  But you need to know this information. They may work with a partner, their table or by themselves.

The teacher will monitor and give additional direction as needed.The teacher will only present one problem a day.  They may use the same introduction each day with a little variation. They need to constantly remind them that they are problem solvers and that they can get this information for you. You have confidence in them.

Problem 1:

In some of the stories there is only one little pig left. I was wondering how many different body parts he had. You know like two eyes, etc. Can you help me find that out?

Problem 2:

If there were three pigs how many ears would that be? How many mouths? How many tails? How many feet? How did you figure that out?

Problem 3:

If the wolf saw three chimneys how many houses did he see? How many doors did he see? And how many windows did he see? Explain your answer.

Problem 4:

If little pig had three shirts and three pairs of pants, how many outfits could he make from that? Show me the outfits.

Problem 5:

If mother pig and the bad wolf were invited to come to dinner at the third little pigs house, how many plates would he need? How many glasses? How many forks?  Explain your answer.