5 kids with technology on grassy lawn

In a Pickle With Math

Computational Thinker
math pickle

Overview​

Math Pickle is a free website resource filled with math puzzles and games to engage students in problem-solving. Puzzles are organized by grade level and subject. They are meant to be solved within a 45-60 minute time period. 

The website is supported by the American Institute of Mathematics.

Students will:

  • Be able to work independently or with a partner to solve various math puzzles. 

Vocabulary Words:

  1. Perseverance: Perseverance is doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

  2. Computational: Computational is related to the process of mathematical calculation.

To prepare for this lesson:

  • The teacher creates student partnerships.

  • The teacher previews puzzles at the website Math Pickle.

Note: Some puzzles are very challenging, yet engaging.

See the Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students website in the Teacher Resources. 

Directions for this activity:

  1. Log onto the website Math Pickle.  

  2. Click on See The Puzzles.

  3. Select the grade level.

  4. Select the puzzle to work on.

Different options for assessing the students:

  • Observations
  • Check for understanding
  • Have students share how they solved the puzzle.
  • The students can create their own puzzles.
  • Provide an exit ticket on what was learned.
  • Have the students create a Flip video explaining their puzzle.

MITECS: Michigan adopted the "ISTE Standards for Students" called MITECS (Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students) in 2018.

Computational Thinker
5a. Students formulate problem definitions suited for technology-assisted methods such as data analysis, abstract models and algorithmic thinking in exploring and finding solutions.
5b. Students collect data or identify relevant data sets, use digital tools to analyze them, and represent data in various ways to facilitate problem-solving and decision-making.
5c. Students break problems into component parts, extract key information, and develop descriptive models to understand complex systems or facilitate problem-solving.
5d. Students understand how automation works and use algorithmic thinking to develop a sequence of steps to create and test automated solutions.

Device: PC, Chromebook, Mac, iPad 

Browser: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, ALL

App, Extension, or Add-on:

Websites:
Math Pickle

CONTENT AREA RESOURCES

The students write about how the math puzzle was solved.

The students create their own math puzzle.

Report a bad link, inappropriate content or out-of-date content. 

CREDITS
This task card was created by Julie Hoehing, Lake Shore Public Schools, January 2020. Updated November 2023. 


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