Out of the Box

Winter is setting in here in Ohio and we are COLD.  Despite the unfriendly weather I have been back into classrooms and planning with teachers.  Teachers have been open to lots of suggestions and ideas.  Our training comes from Ohio State University and we take our ideas from their funded research classroom and bring them to the teachers.  All of our math strategies center on Rich Problems. Here is my definition of a Rich Problem;
Rich problems have multiple entry points, force students to think outside the box, may have more than one solution, and open the way to new territory for further exploration.  Thy challenge students to make math a real-life solution to every-day problems.

Now these problems are not your everyday 3 +3= 6.  A rich problem has multiple ways to find an answer, We do not tell the children if they are right or even if they are wrong.  Is that learning?  We are asking the kids how they got their answer.  How do you know it is 6?  Asking them to write about their answer, and then having them share with a friend or with the class how they got their answer.  Now that is learning.  When our students are able to explain their answers and strategies to their peers, then we know there is learning taking place.  How exciting.  We are seeing our teachers starting to really take a look at what their students are thinking.
Even in this cold winter weather we are seeing students and teachers alike step out of the box to discover something new.