(Short, sweet answers to the questions I most hear or MathWorld Interactive 101 for the busy parent/educator/student!)
1. What exactly is MathWorld Interactive?
MathWorld Interactive is a FREE project where students in grades 6 to 8 from around the world work on open-ended problems, called Challenge cycles, using a six-step format. A challenge cycle consists of one challenge posted every nine weeks. Challenge solutions are submitted any time during the nine-week cycle. Click for Calendar.
2. Where do I get my team name for MathWorld Interactive?
Easy! You make it up! Please don't use "Team #1" or any other generic name. I use those to assign names to entries without team names.
3. What is the six-step format?
The six-step format is:
Write what you know about the problem. (The facts)
Write what you are looking for in the problem. (The questions)
Write ALL your strategies used to solve all of the problem. (How you solved it.)
Write your solutions. (The answers)
Explain how you checked your work.
Extend the original problem. (Make up a new problem)
A more detailed explanation can be found on "After I register, what now?".
4. How do I use the six-step formula?
Your children or students should complete each of the six-steps to solve the challenges. They should use complete sentences and explain their strategies in detail.
5. Do you have any hints as to how to get my child/student started?
You bet I do! The very best suggestion is to have them begin solving by completing step one. To do this, have them go sentence-by-sentence pulling out all the facts and writing them on a piece of paper in complete sentences. After they have gone through the entire challenge completing step one. Have them start over, sentence-by-sentence, writing step two, all the questions in the challenge.
6. How do I win a MathWorld Interactive email award?
EVERY entry that is submitted (emailed) to a challenge cycle round receives an participation award certificate noting some strength in their entry. One entry may be chosen as SWEEPSTAKES winner to serve as a model for future challenge cycles in each grade level and an award is presented through an email award certificate. Finally, winners are published on the website so that your students receive international recognition for their hard work.
7. Where do I submit my answers?
There are several ways to send your solutions into MathWorld Interactive. The best way is to go to the "Submit your solutions" page and fill out the form. You can also put them on the message boards or email them to MathWorld@sbcglobal.net
8. Do you have any suggestions for entering solutions? They take a long time to type out.
Yes, start typing on a word processor and save as needed. Then, you can just go back and keep adding the six-step solution process. When you are ready to send your work to MathWorld Interactive, just highlight the solution text on your word processor. Then, cut and paste it to the solution form. Send it and you are done!
9. Do you have any ideas for grading or assessing the work my children/students are doing?
Yes, I evaluate each step in the process. For instance, I would evaluate step one, write what you know, as one grade. Then, I would evaluate step two, write what you are looking for as another grade. I am very demanding about step three, write all your strategies and often count that as two grades to ensure my students realize that this is the most important step. Step four, five, and six I count as a separate grade each.
10. Where can I see examples of student work?
Check out the Hall of Fame and the Message Boards.
11. My students/children are just starting and they are having a great deal of trouble with the writing and explaining their strategies. What should I do?
This is so important! The fact that they are having trouble is proof of how badly they need to learn the process of problem-solving and communicating their thoughts and strategies! The first thing to do is to congratulate yourself for recognizing this need. Then, you need to positively enforce EVERYTHING they are doing. For instance, if they solved a problem but didn't explain their process, you could say, "Wow, you really know how to solve that problem. You did so great, you have got to explain it in detail so that everyone can read it. With an answer like that, your explanation has got to be fantastic! Ok, so tell me what you did! Great, now write it! Boy, you are great at problem-solving!" Most of all, don't give up because it is challenging! In no time, they will be skilled using the process and will have a valuable life-skill to use now and in the future.
12. Can I write to you for help?
Anytime! Write to me at mathworld@sbcglobal.net and I'll try to respond as soon as possible.
14. Where can I find Challenge Cycle dates and deadlines?
To see challenge dates and deadlines, click here.
Copyright 1998-2002 Carolynn S. Mortensen