Schoolwide News

It’s the beginning of October, which means our September Problem of the Month has come to a close! We had many people participating in the “Party Time” problems this month, including students from Grades 1 through 12, teachers, administrators, and parents! I’m thrilled to see our community coming together around a math challenge.

My mind is often drawn in by a good problem. I love the puzzle, the way my brain starts organizing the pieces, and the satisfaction that comes from finding a solution. But I’ve noticed that not everyone feels the same immediate draw. Recently, I’ve realized it’s not that the mystery itself isn’t thrilling to everyone, it’s just that many people hesitate to spend time on something if they’re unsure they’ll find a satisfying answer.

This month, though, the mystery did pull people in! I’ve had students of all ages, teachers, administrators, and even parents talk to me about our Problem of the Month. It warms my heart to see so many people discovering the same joy in problem-solving that I experience.

I would like to celebrate those who tackled the Problem of the Month and took the time to send me their solutions!  Their names at the bottom of this article.  For those of you who want to check your answers, I've written up a solution key here.  The solution key explores just one strategy per question, so feel free to debate, rework, and discuss alternative approaches!

For October, the Problem of the Month is Wheel Shop!  While each of the problems has a clean algebraic solution, I encourage you to think beyond the equations. Can you find a different, creative approach?  Let me know how you solved the problems by completing this form, emailing me your solutions (tcalcagni@eabdf.br), or bringing them by my office (room US19 ⅓).  I'm excited to puzzle through them with you.

Thank you again to the people listed below for participating in the September challenge.  I'm looking forward to another great month of problem-solving!

Level A

Levi G1
Class 2B
Isabela G4
Elizabeth G4
Noah G4
Daniel G4
Ayanna G4
Qingwen G4
João G6 
Lucas G6
Lorena G6
Walter G8
Julia G7
Ana Catarina G8
Ana Cristina G11
Matheus G12
Andrew, Community member
Derek Nelson, LS Principal

Level B

Levi G1
Class 2B
Elizabeth G4
Isabela G4
Qingwen G4
João G6 
Lucas G6
Lorena G6
Walter G8
Julia G7
Ana Catarina G8
Ana Cristina G11
Matheus G12
Andrew, Community member
Derek Nelson, LS Principal

Level C

Elizabeth G4
Isabela G4
João G6 
Qingwen G4
Lorena G6
Lucas G6
Julia G7
Walter G8
Ana Catarina G8
Ana Cristina G11
Matheus G12
Andrew, Community member
Derek Nelson, LS Principal

Level D

João G6 
Lorena G6
Julia G7
Ana Catarina G8
Walter G8
Ana Cristina G11
Matheus G12
Andrew, Community member
Level E
Julia G7
Ana Catarina G8
Nicolas, G8
Oscar, G8
Walter G8
Ana Cristina G11
Matheus G12
Andrew, Community member