Homework for Wednesday, September 24

Assignment:  Max the Maze

Due Thursday, September 23

This is a favorite assignment of many of my students. It requires:

*trial and error

*creativity

*and perseverance

It also requires recognition of how the different operations affect numbers with decimals. The sooner students realize what happens when multiplying a number by a decimal smaller than one, things start to click. 

Here are the rules for this assignment:

*USE A CALCULATOR

*Trace a path on the maze to reach the highest total. I recommend putting the maze in a transparent sleeve (they have a few available) and taking some trial runs with a whiteboard marker.

*You may go over a point several times, but may not go back over ANY of the lines.

*Once you reach the finish, your progress ends.

When you are happy with your route:

*On the actual maze paper, mark the route with a pen or highlighter, indicating your path and direction with arrows. 

*On the accompanying table, write each of the operations & values for each step, with the running total of the route. (please round on the doc, but not as you work) In other words, keep a running total on the calculator, but put the rounded numbers to the nearest tenth on the paper.

They MUST add at least seven lines and reach 5,000 points to receive full credit.

How can you help?

Do it with them! Well, don't "do" it, but help them try some different starting paths to see what leads to higher totals. NOTICE what leads to higher values and what leads to lower values. This is a fun assignment to work on together. 

Help them to strategize: when does a higher total have the most value? When does a move that decreases the value matter the most? Are there any areas to avoid? Target? 

Show them how to input it into the calculator if necessary. This is not an arithmetic assignment. We want them drawing conclusions and placing their decimals accurately.

Decide when to be happy with the total. Some people give themselves a time limit, but as mentioned above, they must travel at least 7 paths and reach 5,000 points to receive full credit. 

And finally, have them access our Google Classroom and show you how this assignment will be scored. It is not necessary to have the highest score in the class, but that is a fun goal to aim for. It's always a surprise to see who finds the highest total!