This document is a problem set, titled “Unpacking Problems,” designed for students in EDEL 4520: Elementary Methods in Mathematics Teaching at Clemson University. It focuses on applying fraction concepts within a real-world scenario – the division of land in a newly founded township.
This assignment is intended for pre-service elementary teachers to practice not only solving fraction problems involving addition and subtraction, but also to consider how to *present* such a problem to 5th-grade students. It’s a key component of understanding how to “unpack” mathematical tasks for effective instruction.
This assignment does *not* provide instruction on fraction operations; it assumes students already possess that knowledge. It also doesn’t offer a complete lesson plan, but rather asks students to script the *introduction* to a lesson.
The full assignment includes: a multi-part word problem requiring fraction addition and subtraction, a section prompting students to write a teacher script including anticipated student responses, and specific questions to guide their thinking about how to make the problem accessible to 5th graders. This preview only describes the assignment’s structure and purpose.