Stepping out - Number level 2-3
This is a level 3 number activity from the Figure It Out series. It is focused on using division facts to solve problems. A PDF of the student activity is included.
About this resource
Figure It Out is a series of 80 books published between 1999 and 2009 to support teaching and learning in New Zealand classrooms.
This resource provides the teachers' notes and answers for one activity from the Figure It Out series. A printable PDF of the student activity can be downloaded from the materials that come with this resource.
Specific learning outcomes:
- Use division facts to solve problems.
Stepping out - Number level 2-3
Achievement objectives
NA3-1: Use a range of additive and simple multiplicative strategies with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Required materials
- Figure It Out, Levels 2–3, Number, "Stepping out", page 16
- 100 number line (Large number line MM) or hundreds board (Happy hundreds CM)
See Materials that come with this resource to download:
- Stepping out activity (.pdf)
- Large number line MM (.pdf)
- Stepping out - Happy hundreds CM (.pdf)
Activity
Many students will need a number line to solve the problem, though others may be able to use skip counting in combination with systematic recording.
For example, Kangaroo’s trip might be modelled as:
Clip-on pegs might be used on a number line to record which stepping stones Kangaroo landed on.
The solution might be recorded as:
- 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 12 numbers, 12 jumps
More powerful reasoning might be 5 x 12 = 60, which is greater than 58, and therefore Kangaroo’s statement is correct. Division might be used to work out the number of jumps needed by the other animals.
- 58 divided by 2 = 29. Hoppy takes 30 jumps because one more is needed to get across.
- 58 divided by 3 = 19 remainder 1, so Larry will need 20 jumps to get right across to the other side.
The problem can be simplified by reducing the number of animals and the number of stepping stones. The problem for 88 stepping stones is difficult, but it can be solved using similar reasoning.
1.
Yes.
2.
5 x 12 = 60. The twelfth jump, from stone 55, would take Kangaroo to land.
3.
Hoppy the Frog: 30; Larry Longlegs: 20; Flit the Flea: 15.
4.
Hoppy the Frog: 45; Kangaroo: 18; Larry Longlegs: 30; Flit the Flea: 23.
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