I collaborated with a few students and presented a problem for our class to solve. I thought this was an enjoyable experience because it reinforced all of the following things: teamwork, communication, problem solving, effective instructional approaches when teaching, and mathematics. The problem we introduced to the class was called, The Pizza Problem. I think this is a great lesson to incorporate in the classroom and can be modified to target each grade level. The problem is about how to split the cost of a pizza amongst friends, if some friends don't show up. This is relatable and an authentic learning experience for all students, because we can make real-world connections.
A group of friends decide to meet for
pizza, and one friend calls ahead to order the pies. However, three people in
the group do not show up at the pizza parlor. The friends who do show up figure
that they each add $3 to their original share, to cover the bill, which totals
$70. How many friends eat pizza?