Guide: Delivering a Problems Lab Activity
A practical walkthrough for using Problems Lab resources with your class.
1) Before the lesson
Skim the teacher notes to confirm outcomes and likely misconceptions. Print or share the student task. Decide whether this will run as a diagnostic activity, practice set, depth‑study scaffold, or assessment.
2) Launch
Introduce the scenario and success criteria. Prompt students to outline an initial approach (1–2 minutes) before they begin. Encourage assumptions to be stated explicitly.
3) Work time
Students analyse the provided data and justify decisions. Circulate with targeted prompts from the notes (e.g., “Which variable matters most here?” “What evidence supports that step?”).
4) Share & reflect
Sample a few solutions. Highlight reasoning moves, common misconceptions, and efficient representations. Optional: a quick exit ticket or rubric row for feedback.
5) Extend or assess
Use the extension prompts for deeper reasoning or transfer to a new context. For summative use, apply the included criteria and exemplars.
Tips
- Pair talk first; written answers second.
- Insist on units and labelled axes.
- Reward justification over “the right number”.
- Use the editable copy to tailor context or scaffolds.