Kindergarten - Sample One

There are two major thematic problem-solving activities in Kindergarten: sea creatures and frogs. In mid-February students use sea creatures as a vehicle to lean how to solve problems. They start by acting out problems, and then study pre-made picture problems to learn how to represent solutions. Then they construct their own problems, completing the cycle by solving their classmates' problems. We will study how Nikki, a slightly above average student, solved these types of problems in February, April, and into May.

Here you see one of the picture problems involving 8 whales, 4 of which are hidden behind the flap with the ? mark. Beside the picture problem, Nikki drew four whales to show that four are still under water. She also knows that we can write equations, but isn’t sure how to do this yet as evidenced by her 8 + (upside down) 4 equation.

February Sea Creature Picture Problem

Nikki’s Solution to Sea Creature Problem

Below is the problem that Tristan constructed. He took an idea from one of the picture problems and embellished it. The words are written on a flap hiding six whales spouting from their blowholes. Beside it, you can see how Nikki solved this problem by showing six tally marks and her attempt at an equation, 3 + 3 6.

Tristan’s Picture Problem

Nikki solves Tristan’s Problem

Reed has constructed a simple addition problem. Nikki has solved this problem with an equation, picture, and tally markes. She writes 1 + 2 3, indicating three is the answer by putting star marks around it. Three tally marks below the picture show a third solution.

Reed’s Picture Problem

Nikki Solves Reed’s Problem

Now we move on to May where frogs are the theme of these harder problems. On the left is a picture problem where children divide or halve the number of eyes to get the total number of frogs. On the right you see how Nikki has confidently written the date, drawn a picture of the four frogs, written eight tally marks, and created a correct equation (without an equal sign).

April–May Frog Picture Problem

Nikki Solves the Frog Picture Problem

Tristan has written a problem involving doubling, and challenges his classmates to find how many eyes there are on 7 colored frogs. Again, we see Nikki improves her expression of ways to find the answer. She draws the seven frogs, numbers them, and then writes 14 below the picture.

Tristan’s Picture Problem

Nikki Solves the Problem