Thursday, February 1, 2018

My 3-Act Task Obsession!




We all have some type of superpower, so let me begin by saying that one of my self-proclaimed superpowers is my ability to steal good instructional ideas (giving full credit to the actual owner, of course!) and then sharing it with all of you to use in your classrooms. 

I am absolutely obsessed with 3-Act Tasks.
I was introduced to 3-Act Tasks wa-a-ay back in 2006, or perhaps it was 2007, at the mathematics conference I was invited to speak at in San Diego. Truthfully, I don't fully remember the topic that I spoke about that year, but I have a very clear memory of being fully entranced by Dan Meyer's session as he introduced his 3-Act Task approach to an overflowing room full of educators. Dan's presentation was clearly geared toward secondary education, but I could sense the power it held for all learners at all levels. Then Graham Fletcher came along and made Dan's approach accessible to us in the elementary world of mathematics. If you have not checked out Graham Fletcher's blog, it really is a "must-see"!

Because it is February and I LOVE 3-Act Tasks (see what I did there...?), this month's post will be an emerging post that grows each week with new additions and new 3-Act Tasks that I will be creating with some of YOUR students in YOUR classrooms -- perhaps you'll even feel brave and will create some 3-Act Tasks of your own that I can steal share.  Scroll down to check out my first attempt at creating a 3-Act Task at the end of this post. And then check out the growing collection of 3-Act Tasks under the tab at the top of this blog. If you make one of your own, be sure to share it and I'll add it to our collection of original Tasks. 


I have been talking with a Ms. Haggerty and Ms. Thorne at SLES who have developed their own obsession with 3-Act Tasks 😊   Read their (real, unedited) comments below -- These are powerful words that speak to the effectiveness of using 3-Act Tasks with students. 





What do you NOTICE about the image below?
What do you WONDER?
(No, really take some time to contemplate the image of the orange and the snap cube and think about the mathematics that it evokes)
Image from Act II of Graham Fletcher's 3-Act Task "The Orange"

  • What QUESTIONS immediately come to mind after looking at this image? 
  • How could this image spark a discussion about DIVISION?
  • Watch the Act I video of "The Orange" then think about how the video CAPTURED YOUR CURIOSITY and engaged your thinking. 
  • Would it do the same for your students?
  • Don't you agree that this is a superior way to ENGAGE students when compared to a lecture or a worksheet? 
  • What topic are you teaching next week? How can YOU use the idea of a 3-Act Task to more fully engage your students?

Check out these resources: I'm sure you'll find a 3-Act Task that is perfect for your students
Click HERE to see the 3-Act Task "The Orange" at GFletchy.com
Click HERE to see a whole collection of 3-Act Tasks from Graham Fletcher
Click HERE to see even more 3-Act Tasks on Dane Ehlert's When Math Happens






Check out my very first attempt at CREATING MY OWN 3-ACT TASK. I think it turned out pretty good for a first attempt - what do you think? I have a goal of creating at least one that aligns with one of your upcoming Modules for each grade level, so check back often! If you have an idea for one, send it my way :) 





– 3.MD.C.5-7 Finding the Area –

ACT I
  • What do you notice?
  • What do you wonder?

ACT II
  • What additional information would be helpful as you try to discover an answer to your question about the Cheez-Its on the pan?
    • Part One: Ruler measurement of the pan
    • Part Two: Laying down one row and one column of Cheez-Its on the pan



ACT III

– 5.MD.C Volume –

ACT I

  • What do you notice?
  • What do you wonder?

ACT II
  • What additional information would be helpful as you try to discover an answer to your question about the gum in the container?


ACT III






at