Get It Together: Math Problems for Groups Grades 4-12 [Paperback]

Tim Erickson (Author), Rose Craig (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0912511532 | ISBN-13: 978-0912511535 | Publication Date: 1989

You don't have to learn math by yourself! Solving problems in groups is exciting, effective, and equitableit helps all students succeed in math. Get It Together is a collection of over 100 mathematics problems for groups of 26 students. The problems cover a wide range of math topics such as logic, functions, algebra, geometry, measurement, and number patterns at various levels of difficulty. Each problem has the same format: six clue cards provide the information needed to solve a problem. Since each member of the group has a different bit of information, everyone works together to arrive at a solution. In one problem, only some people get sick after eating a potluck meal. Was it the swamp chicken, the cheesecake, or something else? The group collaborates to discover which food was the culprit. This book is an excellent resource with teacher information on cooperative groups, assessment, problem solving and the use of manipulatives.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tim Erickson is an innovative educator and curriculum developer

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: EQUALS/ Lawrence Hall of Science (1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0912511532
• ISBN-13: 978-0912511535
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #260,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous teaching tool!, May 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Get It Together: Math Problems for Groups Grades 4-12 (Paperback)

Erickson's book (as well as "United We Solve") is a fabulous tool for teachers of math (as well as some social sciences). The activities are for small groups and the "rules" for solving the problems make it a good basis for evaluating both individual and group work.

I use these activities with my third and fourth graders, but the activities are also good for much older students. The topics are varied, including geometry, equations, logic, and even some social studies topics. My students love working on these, and I love watching them as they work to solve the creative problems.

I highly, highly, highly recommend this book AND "United We Solve".

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We Getting It Together, October 19, 2000

By 

Mitch Stubbs (Slidell, La. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Get It Together: Math Problems for Groups Grades 4-12 (Paperback)

I think of myself a traditional teacher. As a sixth-grade teacher of math, I believe that students need a strong foundation in the basics of mathematics. However, with Get It Together by Mr. Erikson, I found myself motivated by activities that go beyond the trendy 'math games.' There are many acitivites that have real learning value. Also, the students enjoy working together in small groups to find the answer. At least once a week, I find myself using an activity or two out of this book. It has been an excellent resource in the classroom.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My students love it!, September 27, 2008

By 

That'sMissToYou (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Get It Together: Math Problems for Groups Grades 4-12 (Paperback)

I use this book in my 5th grade classroom and have really enjoyed it. Whenever possible, I start my math class with a puzzle which my students solve in small groups. The puzzles promote higher-order thinking and group work. Here are some other thoughts:

*There are no answers in the book. Therefore, when a group thinks they have solved it, I always have to say "Let's check if your answer makes sense." Then I walk through it orally with them. If they are right, I write the answers in the book with a yellow marker (yellow will not be picked up on future copies).

*Most puzzles are organized into groups of 6. I do not have a number of students divisible by six, so I must always give two groups an extra question.

*The puzzles correlate well to my curriculum. They are organized into puzzles for number relationships, geometry, graphing, and grouping.

*Some puzzles require manipulatives: counters, blocks, shapes, etc. Things as simple as crayons work for many of the needed items. My students also like to work on their individual white boards to work out their ideas.

*On average, my students take 3-5 minutes to work out one puzzle.

*After using Get It Together: Math Problems for Groups, I am looking into other books by the author!