The Grapes of Math: Mind-Stretching Math Riddles

By: Greg Tang

Illustrated By: Harry Briggs

Name: Randi Chancey

Class: EDU 555

Concept/Content: Addition and Subtraction

Grade Level: 3rd grade
Mathematical Process/Practices: Modeling mathematical representations
Literature Connections: This is a great book to use as an intro to double-digit addition and subtraction. The book
uses real life objects and tricky riddles to have students figure out which mathematical process they should use.
References: http://gregtangmath.com/

Standards:
o Solve problems involving the four operations, and identify and explain patterns in arithmetic.
o Number and Operations in Base Ten: Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform
multi-digit arithmetic
o Mathematical Practices: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
o 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
o Number & Operations in Base Ten-3.NBT: 2. Fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and
algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and
subtraction.
Objectives: Students will be able to write the correct application needed to solve the riddle with at least 11 out of 16
correct.
Rationale:
o For students to gain an understanding of how addition and subtraction could be used in real-life situations.
o Students will learn to use problem solving skills when reading riddles and word problems.
Questions:
o What can we use addition and subtraction to figure out?
o Why are addition and subtraction important?
o What is a riddle?

Materials:
o The Grapes of Math By: Greg Tang
o White Boards and Dry Erase Markers
o SMART Board
o Pictures of each riddle for students to share with partner
Procedures:
1. Teacher will introduce the book and do a picture walk
2. Teacher will ask students what they think a riddle is, and why we might use them for this math lesson
3. Students will be partnered up, but the class will still work together
4. Teacher will project the pictures and riddles up on the SMART Board
5. Teacher will read one and model how to break the riddle into parts to figure out what application to use
6. As each riddle is projected on the board, students will work with their partner to solve the brain-busters. (A
few minutes for each riddle)
7. The class will them discuss as a whole the steps to take to find the answers
Final Recommendations: I chose this book because it involves more than just simple addition and subtraction.
Students will be using their higher order thinking skills to think outside of the box so they can solve the riddles. I
believe that this book could be used across grade levels in Elementary School, but 3rd seems like a great age to start
this type of problem solving. You could even bring some of the tools in to include a more hands-on approach. For
example: with the grapes, cherries, pizza, shells, dice and even watermelon!