Since we are just beginning a unit on the relationship between decimal numbers, fractions, and percentages, we've been exploring place value and how base 10 blocks can help us represent numbers in different ways. For example, one of our open questions was: "Use 12 base 10 blocks. How many numbers can you represent?" We spent a lot of time on this question but everyone was on task because it was challenging and fun. Some of us worked in groups and some of us worked individually. Some of us used numbers, some of us drew pictures, and some of us used base 10 blocks to help find our solutions. Whichever tool or strategy we chose, what was most important was communicating our thinking. Another example of an open question we explored in class was: "If the solution is 4,2 what possible decimal numbers could be in the addition or subtraction sentence?" Some of us found digit patterns and others found visual patterns using base 10 blocks. We were all successful in coming up with more than one possible solution.
We will continue to use open questions throughout the year to push our mathematical thinking!