Title: Logic Problems
Developed by: Diane Gough

Sample of the student product

Written by:______

Solved by:______

Favorite Places

Susan, Adam, and Jeremy were all going on vacation. They each went to a different place. They went to Colorado, Disney World, or DestinBeach.

  1. Susan does not like to swim.
  2. Adam loves to ride roller coasters.

Use the chart below to figure out where each person went on vacation.

Colorado / Disney World / DestinBeach
Susan
Adam
Jeremy

Objective: The student will be able to compose a logic problem in a word processing document. The student will incorporate a spreadsheet for organizational purposes.

Timeline: One hour

Content Area: Math / Grade Level: 4
Materials/Resources:
Microsoft Word / Technology Focus:
Word Processing
Spreadsheet
TEKS:
Subject Area - §111.16.4.14 (B); §111.16.4.16 (B)
Technology Applications - §126.3.2 (A, B, C); §126.3.7 (B, C); §126.3.10 (C)

Procedures:

Before going to the lab:

  1. Write down three names. These can be people or characters.
  2. Choose one of the following categories:
    pets
    places
    clothing
    colors
    shoe sizes
    school supplies
    street names
  3. Write three items in the category. For example, if you chose pets the items might include dog, cat, bird. You might even get more specific like: Chihuahua, Beagle, Boxer.
  4. Write a story problem that gives clues as to which person relates to which item.

In the Lab:

1.Open Microsoft Word.

2.Change the page orientation to Landscape.

3.Type a title and the word problem you created in class.

4.Go to InsertObjectMicrosoft Excel Worksheet.

5.Skip the first cell and type the names in the second, third, and fourth cells of the top row.

6.Skip the first cell again and type the items in the second, third, and fourth cells of the first column.

7.Go to View>Header and Footer.

8.Type: Written by: Your name.

9.Press Enter.

10.Type: Solved by:

11.Save.

12.Print.

Have students trade papers and try to answer each others logic problems or rotate around the computer lab answering each others problems.

Assessment:

Teacher will assess the problem to see if it makes sense and is solvable.

Modifications:
Give specific information to the students and have them use a teacher-made template to enter the information for the logic problem.
Extensions:
Create a class book of problems.
Have students try to write logic problems with more than three characters and items. More clues will be needed to help solve the problems.
Students could also write a multiple choice question at the end of their logic problem. For example:
Which of the following is the most reasonable?
a. Susan went to DestinBeach.
b. Jeremy went to Colorado.
c. Adam went to Disney World.
d. Jeremy went to Disney World.
Additional Resources:
TAKS diagnostic tests and worksheets from sources such as:
•Kamico
•Step Up to TAAS
•TAAS Master

Skills:

Word Processing
Manage Documents / skills utilized in the project
Save a document to the file server / R / X
Use Print Preview / R / X
Format Documents
Set line spacing / R
Set alignment / R
Choose page orientation / R / X
Use headers/footers / I / X
Edit Text
Cut, copy, and paste / R
Spell check / R / X
Undo/Redo / R / X
Import Graphics
Insert and resize graphics / R
Use the drawing tools / R / X
Change fill color / R
Use rotate/flip / R
Use AutoShapes / R
Change line color and width / R
Use WordArt / R
Set the Text Wrap on graphics / R
Add page borders / R
Spreadsheet
Manage a spreadsheet / skills utilized in the project
Create a new file / R
Identify parts of spreadsheet / R
Print a worksheet / R
Enter/Edit Data
Enter and edit data / R / X
Delete data / R / X
Performing Calculations
Create a simple formula / R
Use Sum function / R
Format Data
Change column width/row height / R / X
Charting Data
Create a chart / R
Print a chart / R
Select the type of chart / R
Add titles / R
Add a legend / R
Choose data labels / R
Change font, size, and style of text / R
Change pattern/color of chart background / R
Change pattern/ color of a series / R