I used this task during a fourth grade unit on fractions. I wanted to measure students’ understanding of equivalence. The objective was for students to demonstrate their understanding of equivalent fractions using a graphic organizer for a mathematical argument. Students struggled to figure out how they could fill in the evidence section of the graphic organizer.
Microsoft Word version: 4_NF_Fractions_Problem_Critique
PDF version: 4_NF_Fractions_Problem_Critique
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Carlos’ Thoughts is a task created for fourth graders working on fractions. The task asks students to crtique a comparison of a mixed number to an improper fraction. The task uses argumentation language including claim, evidence and warrant. This task gets at a common error in reading mixed numbers versus improper fractions in which students see a whole number in front of a fraction and assume it is larger than the improper fraction. The task may also display a student’s ability to convert between mixed numbers and improper fractions.
Microsoft Word version: 4_NF_Fractions_Problem_Critique_CarlosThoughts
PDF version: 4_NF_Fractions_Problem_Critique_CarlosThoughts
A Shaded Rectangle is a fractions problem involving a picture for fourth graders. Students are given a rectangle divided into sections, with some sections shaded, and a given student response stating how much of the rectangle is shaded. Argumentation language is used when asking students to critique the response, create a claim, and explain their thinking on whether the student response is correct.
Microsoft Word version: 4_NF_Fractions_Problem_Critique_AShadedRectangle
PDF version: 4_NF_Fractions_Problem_Critique_AShadedRectangle
This multi-digit multiplication task was used with fourth-grade students. Students are asked to critique a statement on if two numbers multiplied together are equal to two numbers added together. After an initial conjecture, students share their ideas with a partner and identify similarities and differences between the two arguments. This task contains argumentative language, including claim and evidence.
Microsoft Word version: 4_NBT_Multiplication_ThinkPairShare_Critique_1
PDF version: 4_NBT_Multiplication_ThinkPairShare_Critique_1
This task is designed as a think-pair-share. It sets a multiplication expression equal to an addition expression and asks students to agree or disagree about the equality. Fourth grade students are given a template to state a claim, and explain it, then compare arguments. This task can be used to open a class discussion about different ways to think about double digit multiplication. Students can look at 10×24 as (10×20)+(10×4) which would show the comparison between 10×24 and 200+40 nicely.
Microsoft Word version: 4_NBT_Multiplication_ThinkPairShare_Critique
PDF version: 4_NBT_Multiplication_ThinkPairShare_Critique
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