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That was a simple problem, but we used our problem-solving circle to get to the answer.

This is the KEY POINT: Answers are important BUT so is the process of arriving at an
answer. The Problem Solving Circle provides the ideal springboard for this discussion.

Example 2
If a brick has a value of 2.5, how many bricks need to be brought into the circle to make 20?
Solve the problem using your bricks and then record your answer.

In this instance you will see children doing the problem in a number of ways, and recording
it in a number of different ways, with a lot of good mathematical language being used

orally.

Some will bring in brick by brick, 2.5+2.5+2.5+2.5+2.5+2.5+2.5+2.5 to make a total of 8
bricks and 20.

Some will take the approach that 2.5 + 2.5 = 5, if 2 bricks is 5, then 4 times that makes 20,
and bring in another 6 bricks, to make 8 altogether. 2.5 X 8 = 20

Teaching point

A key teaching point to remember is that when correcting, always ask the question, “How
did you do it?” “Did anybody do it differently?”

Is this approach to mathematics using the problem-solving circle not just superb
mathematically?

The problem solving circle can used as effectively in Junior Infants as at the very upper end
of the school.

Further examples of problems
• I have a stack of 10 bricks. Find all the ways that I can break it into two sets and still

have 10 altogether? Record your answers. (Children bring the stack of 10 bricks into
the circle and begin breaking it into all sorts of combinations of 2 sets. Make and break
apart over and over, recording each answer).
• I have a stack of 10 bricks. Find all the ways that I can break it into three sets and still
have 10 altogether? Record your answers. (Repeat as per above).
• Make a pattern with 6 bricks. Now extend that pattern using another 6 bricks. Record
your pattern. Make and record other patterns. (Begin all patterns within the circle and
extend outwards)

How could you use the Problem Solving Circle and Six Bricks to build and work out the
following problems?
• If half a dozen oranges cost 36c, how much change will I get from 50c and how much
did each orange cost?

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