What are Problems of the Week?
Services currently available:
- Primary PoWs – K–2, in the Problem Library only
- Math Fundamentals (FunPoW)
– content generally taught in grades 3 to 5
- Pre-Algebra (PrealgPoW)
– middle grades content
- Algebra (AlgPoW) –
high school Algebra I content
- Geometry (GeoPoW) –
high school Geometry content
- Discrete Math, Trig, and Calculus – in the Problem Library only
Characteristics of PoWs
- non-routine
- constructed response
- emphasis on communication
- involve rich mathematical concepts
- rubric-assessed
- allow multiple solution paths
- challenging
- lead to deeper understanding
- allow for collaboration
Teacher Support
Pages (in a new window)
- link to Enhanced Problem Packet for Teachers and Activity series [downloadable pdf files]
- key topics and concepts addressed in the problem
- links to other related problems in the Problems Library
- links to related content in the Ask Dr. Math archives
- links to Math Tools which can help with the problem
- links to related discussions in the Teacher2Teacher archives
Sign up for a free 21-day
Trial Account (in a new window)
Current Problems of the Week
(in a new window)
Schedule:
20 problems each year in each service
Link to calendar available from each problem page
- Problems are available for preview Thursday am before going
live.
- Problems go “live” Monday am.
- Problems are open for first submissions for two weeks.
- Submissions may be revised through Thursday midnight –
highly recommended!
- Sample solutions with commentary appear Friday morning.
- Early in following week Gold and Silver lists appear with more solutions (in a new window).
Mentoring (for current problems only) :
- What happens?
- Mentoring by groups available when * in calendar
- Research shows the value of revision.
- Student-friendly Scoring
Rubric
- Guaranteed mentoring by Math Forum staff is
available on a fee basis.
Problems of the Week Library
(in a new window)
- Over 800 past problems
- Browsable by service and topic
- Most have Teacher Support Pages and student solutions.
- Numbered for easy reference
Write Math with
the Math Forum
(in a new window)
- A lens for finding problems in the Library aligned to state standards and popular
published curricula
- Browsable by state, curriculum and lesson
- Most have Teacher Support Pages and student solutions.
The Math Forum FunPoW Scoring Rubric
in kid-friendly language:
