Problem Solving Activities for Grades 3 - 6

These activities will help your child develop problem solving skills, an important "strand" or math theme tested in the WASL math activities.

Problem Solving Activities - Use the following links to see the activity.
Cubes Bus/Ferry Schedules
Plan a Trip Number Cubes

(Activities taken from Mathematics a Guide for Parents to Everyday Mathematics and Helping Your Child at Home Grades K-6, published by Central Kitsap School District Department of Curriculum and Instruction, 2000.)

Cubes

  • Challenge your child to arrange nine red cubes, nine blue cubes, and nine white cubes into a large 3 x 3 x 3 cube. He or she must arrange the cubes so that no row or column of cubes contains two cubes the same color. Is it possible to make a cube that does not have any same-color blocks in a diagonal? How many colors would be needed to build a 5 x 5 x 5 cube with the same conditions?
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Bus/Ferry Schedules

  • When planning your next bus trip or ferry ride to Seattle, invite your child to read the schedules with you. Talk about the schedule, and have your child determine when you need to leave, which bus/ferry to catch, and how long the trip will be.
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Plan a Trip

  • As you plan your next trip, try to involve your child in the planning. Use maps to determine the routes, and have your child figure out the mileage and how long the trip will take.
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Number Cubes

  • You will need dice, paper, and a pencil for this game. Begin the activity by having your child toss a die six times, recording the numbers on paper. Then ask your child to arrange the numbers in any order to make two 3-digit numbers. Next ask your child to multiply, add, or subtract the two numbers. Try different ways to get the largest answer and the smallest answer possible.
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