Would You Rather Math is an innovative educational platform designed to engage students in mathematical reasoning through thought-provoking scenarios. By presenting learners with two options and prompting them to choose and justify their selection using mathematical principles, this resource fosters critical thinking and encourages active participation in the learning process.
Features and Benefits for Teachers and Students
The core of Would You Rather Math lies in its collection of scenarios that challenge students to make decisions based on mathematical reasoning. Each prompt presents two choices, and students must select one, supporting their decision with mathematical justifications. This approach not only promotes critical thinking but also encourages students to articulate their reasoning, enhancing their communication skills.
For educators, these prompts serve as valuable tools to initiate math discussions in a low-risk environment. There are no definitive right or wrong answers, which allows students to explore different perspectives and develop confidence in expressing their thoughts. Teachers can integrate these prompts into classroom routines to stimulate engagement and foster a collaborative learning atmosphere.
Additionally, the platform offers a mini-workshop for teachers, providing guidance on effectively implementing Would You Rather Math into their teaching practices. This workshop explores sentence frames, strategies for handling unexpected outcomes, and methods for utilizing the prompts in various learning settings, including remote education.
Pricing and Free Options
Would You Rather Math is freely accessible to educators and students, ensuring that high-quality, engaging math resources are available without financial barriers. The platform's open access model supports widespread use in diverse educational settings.
Pros
- Engages Critical Thinking: The scenarios require students to analyze options and justify their choices mathematically, promoting deeper understanding and critical thinking skills.
- Encourages Mathematical Discourse: By fostering discussions around different choices, students develop their ability to communicate mathematical ideas effectively.
- Versatile Application: The prompts can be adapted for various grade levels and mathematical topics, making them a flexible tool for educators.
- Free Access: The platform is available at no cost, making it an accessible resource for all educators and students.
Cons
- Limited Scope: While effective for promoting reasoning and discussion, the platform may not cover all mathematical concepts or serve as a comprehensive curriculum.
- Teacher Preparation: Educators may need to invest time in selecting appropriate prompts and facilitating discussions to maximize the benefits of the resource.
Alternatives
Educators seeking similar resources to engage students in mathematical reasoning and discussion might consider:
- Which One Doesn't Belong?: This platform presents sets of four mathematical objects, prompting students to identify which one doesn't fit and justify their reasoning, encouraging deep analysis and conversation.
- Open Middle: Offers challenging math problems that have multiple ways to approach and solve, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Estimation 180: Provides daily estimation challenges to help students improve their number sense and estimation abilities.
Each of these resources offers unique approaches to fostering mathematical thinking and can complement the use of Would You Rather Math in the classroom.
