Open Questions & Parallel Tasks article
article by Mariam Small - Beyond One Right Answer - describes strategies for making open questions & parallel tasks in mathematics Also check our her website: http://www.onetwoinfinity.ca/
Closed versus Open Questions in Math
examples of closed questions versus open questions in Math

The name “Open Middle” might sound like a strange name for a website about math problems. However, it references a very specific type of problem we try to encourage here. Most of the problems on this site have:
--a “closed beginning” meaning that they all start with the same initial problem.
--a “closed end” meaning that they all end with the same answer.
--an “open middle” meaning that there are multiple ways to approach and ultimately solve the problem.
--a “closed beginning” meaning that they all start with the same initial problem.
--a “closed end” meaning that they all end with the same answer.
--an “open middle” meaning that there are multiple ways to approach and ultimately solve the problem.
Need to individualize your math instruction? Check out the tools highlighted in this blog...
LearnZillion
![]() LearnZillion is a free resource that provides teachers, parents and students with Common Core aligned lessons that focus on the use of narrated video for instruction. The tutorials are engaging, the narration is well done and the user friendly platform includes built in learning supports to make it an effective instructional tool that addresses a variety of learning needs. A Coach’s Commentary on the side of each playlists provides teachers and parents with additional information and the math lessons provide guided practice opportunities with a downloadable form for taking notes.
LearnZillion is an effective tool for independent practice and one that compliments classroom instruction. The Common Core Navigator is a nice organizational tool for quickly finding resources to support all learners. Teachers can create a class and add students without email accounts to assign CCSS aligned playlists to students, or they can skip the setup and simply share a code with students for quick and easy access to any lesson. As an added bonus, there is an option to download the lesson slides to PowerPoint and adapt them to your own instructional needs. LearnZillion is available as a web based platform and also an iPad app. |
Learning Farm![]() Learning Farm is a very simple Common Core aligned tool designed to provide individualized self-paced practice and assessment through the use of interactive quizzes and games. While there are no videos or direct instructional tools included in this free platform, Learning Farm is user friendly and easy to use as a starting point for instructional planning. Teachers might consider using Learn Farm to assess students’ instructional needs combined with LearnZillion’s collection of Common Core aligned video lessons to create individualized and personalized learning packages for students.
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Thoughtful Education
Task Rotation examples from GRREC
More Task Rotation examples
More Thoughtful Education strategies
Thoughtful Education examples from Muhlenberg County
Learning Styles in Mathematics & Task Rotation Examples from Math Tools book
http://www.thoughtfulclassroom.com/PDFs/MathToolsHandout.pdf
http://thoughtfulclassroom.com/PDFs/MathToolsASCD2010.pdf
http://www.thoughtfulclassroom.com/PDFs/MathTools2ndEdSamples.pdf
Mathematics with Style session with Mark Helton
True Colors online quiz
The free personality/learning profile quiz if free - results in the form of a bar graph with color categories:
GOLD-Planner, GREEN-Thinker, ORANGE-Doer, or BLUE-Helper.
TRUE COLORS handouts
More Task Rotation examples
More Thoughtful Education strategies
Thoughtful Education examples from Muhlenberg County
Learning Styles in Mathematics & Task Rotation Examples from Math Tools book
http://www.thoughtfulclassroom.com/PDFs/MathToolsHandout.pdf
http://thoughtfulclassroom.com/PDFs/MathToolsASCD2010.pdf
http://www.thoughtfulclassroom.com/PDFs/MathTools2ndEdSamples.pdf
Mathematics with Style session with Mark Helton
True Colors online quiz
The free personality/learning profile quiz if free - results in the form of a bar graph with color categories:
GOLD-Planner, GREEN-Thinker, ORANGE-Doer, or BLUE-Helper.
TRUE COLORS handouts