New Ways to Solving Problems

Today I attended the Cathy Fosnot training for Math instruction.  Learning included: 

• Discovering new ways to solve problems
• 24 x 1.25 = (6x4) x 1.25 = 6x (4x1.25)
• 12x15 = 6x30=24x7.5= 

These conversations about solving problems differently is an OUTSTANDING way to think about problems differently.  How often through solving problems in science and social studies would we benefit from investigating HOW we solve problems and then finding new ways to think of solutions.

All these conversations made me think of William Ury's TED talk on the walk from NO to YES.  Watch the first few minutes of this video about the livestock to get an example....