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Differentiation TechniqueFuzzy Problems

Read The Overview: Fuzzy Problems

Fuzzy Problems are, quite simply, the types of problems we face in our regular lives. Issues that have no best answer and no single path to a solution. Problems that are missing information and require best guesses. They're the kinds of problems we want our students to grapple with.

Specific Examples of “Fuzzy Problems”

The Coloring Problem

The Coloring Problem

How few colors can you use to fill in a map so that no neighboring regions are the same color?

Vocab Puzzle: Antonym Paths

Vocab Puzzle: Antonym Paths

Begin with a small, simple word and identify its antonym. Then, take this second word and find its antonym. Many times, you'll find that an antonym of an antonym isn't always related the original word.

Synonym Graphs

Synonym Graphs

Use a two-dimensional scatter plot to dig into the nuances of several synonyms.

Word Pyramids – A Delightful Vocabulary Puzzle

Word Pyramids – A Delightful Vocabulary Puzzle

A fun, abstract vocab puzzle in which students can add one letter per line, forming a pyramid of words.

Math Project: Disneyland Parking Structure

Math Project: Disneyland Parking Structure

Let's develop a math project to challenge students who have demonstrated a mastery of multiplication and are ready to explore its applications. We'll count the parking spaces in the Disneyland parking structure!

Creating Seemingly Unrelated Analogies

Creating Seemingly Unrelated Analogies

Want to encourage students to find unexpected connections across content? Here's a quick framework based on the most important terms from both bits of content.

Olympic Medal Math Project

Olympic Medal Math Project

In the paper, I read about Norway's dominance of the Winter Olympics, despite being a tiny country. I love this juxtaposition of unexpected data! Let's turn it into a math project. Here are some questions I thought of…

Just How Much Pasta Could I Cook…

Just How Much Pasta Could I Cook…

So, just how much pasta could I cook in an Olympic-sized pool?

Lunar Survival Skills

Lunar Survival Skills

We're supposed to rank fifteen items according to usefulness if we were stranded on the light-side of the moon. The items range from pistols to powdered milk. Some seem useful, but are actually worthless while others seem unnecessary on earth, but are actually vital when stuck on the moon. However, the structure of the activity as a website is not optimal. Let's improve this and make it an awesome problem–solving exercise for our class.

The Tragedy of the Commons

Imagine that we all share a common resource, but no one is really in charge. How do we maintain order without an authority? This is a fantastically fuzzy situation for students to dig into.