Assign Open Tasks

Create “low floor/high ceiling” tasks. These tasks are more open, with different entry points and ways of seeing the tasks.

Some questions to think about:

     a) What are different ways of approaching this problem? Can it be depicted visually?

     b) How can I encourage class discussion so the class can work through a concept as a group and have ideas that feed off each other?

     c) Can I think of a question that students can talk about in groups to get them interested in the ideas before they are taught? For example, in a Calculus lesson, a teacher could ask students to think about how you would calculate the volume of a lemon before learning the formal methods of Calculus. 

When you introduce this activity, be sure to frame challenging problems as an opportunity to learn from mistakes. Remind students that they are growing their brains by challenging themselves. Encourage students to make sense of the concept. When a student suggests an approach, ask students to think why it might or might not work.

Additional Resources: Open Tasks Google Drive Slides