Knowledge/Skill Building
🧩 Snack Mystery Strategy Board
CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.A.1
CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.A.3
Product
Assessment
Exhibition
Reflection
Core Content
Project Launch
Community Partners
Essential Question
Critique and Revision
Submission Required
Grading Required
Teams of 4 examine one snack scenario card, fraction strips or circles, and a partially started snack division poster to identify the fair-share problem they want to test. Students draft one investigable question, one hypothesis, and a strategy section that includes a visual model, at least 2 matching equations, and an evidence checklist for checking fairness across revision rounds. Midway, each team pairs with another team to give feedback to 2 peers, receive feedback on clarity and math accuracy, then revise the poster; after each work segment, teams record a thumb rating for math understanding and collaboration plus one action to improve before moving on.
Plan day
Day 1
Duration
40 min
Grouping
Small Group
Steps
7 steps
Lesson plan
7 steps · 40 min| # | What teachers do |
|---|---|
| 1 | [Facilitator] Launch the Snack Split Studio by presenting the essential question, assigning teams of 4, distributing one snack scenario card, fraction strips or circles, and a partially started snack division poster, and naming the goal: plan a fair-share strategy for 4 people that can later be defended at the Fraction Fixers Fair. (5 min) |
| 2 | [Facilitator] Guide teams to read the mystery snack scenario, identify the quantities involved, and draft one investigable question plus one hypothesis about how the snack could be shared fairly; have teams assign quick roles such as materials manager, recorder, model builder, and discussion lead. End with a thumb rating for math understanding and collaboration and one action to improve. (8 min) |
| 3 | [Facilitator] Have teams use fraction strips or circles to test the scenario, then draft the strategy section of the poster with one visual model and at least 2 matching equations that represent the fair-share reasoning, including any needed equivalent expressions to compare or rewrite fractions. (12 min) |
| 4 | [Facilitator] Ask teams to create an evidence checklist on the poster for checking fairness across revision rounds, such as equal shares, accurate labels, matching model and equations, and clear reasoning; then teams write a tentative fair-share decision and complete a second thumb rating with one next-step action. (6 min) |
| 5 | [Facilitator] Pair each team with another team for peer critique. Each team explains its poster to 2 peers, receives feedback on clarity and math accuracy, and records at least 2 revision notes connected to the model, equations, or checklist. (7 min) |
| 6 | [Facilitator] Direct teams to revise the poster based on feedback, strengthen labels or equivalent expressions, confirm the planned fair-share decision for the group of 4, and add revision-round notes that show what changed and why. (5 min) |
| 7 | [Facilitator] Close with a brief share-out in which teams post or hold up posters, state their investigable question and planned fair-share decision, and complete a final thumb rating plus one action they will carry into the next challenge and later presentation. (2 min) |
Preparation (8 items)
- Prepare one grade-appropriate snack mystery scenario card for each team of 4, making sure each card requires fraction reasoning about fair sharing among 4 people.
- Create and copy or set out a partially started snack division poster template with labeled sections for investigable question, hypothesis, visual model, 2 matching equations, evidence checklist, revision notes, thumb ratings, and final fair-share decision.
- Gather enough fraction strips or fraction circles for every team and organize them in clearly labeled bins for quick distribution.
- Prepare markers, pencils, sticky notes, and clipboards or hard writing surfaces if teams will work around the room.
- Arrange the room so teams of 4 can collaborate and then easily pair with another team for peer feedback midway through the activity.
- Post the essential question and a short feedback guide with prompts such as 'Is the model accurate?', 'Do the equations match the model?', and 'How do you know the shares are fair?'
- Plan team groupings in advance to balance participation and identify any students who may need pre-highlighted quantities, sentence stems, or extension prompts.
- Prepare a quick facilitator checklist for observing whether teams use manipulatives, include at least 2 matching equations, record thumb ratings, and revise after feedback.
Student-facing instructions
You will work with your team of 4 to solve a snack-sharing mystery. Your materials are one scenario card, fraction strips or circles, and a snack division poster. First, read your scenario and decide what fair-share problem you want to investigate. Then write one investigable question and one hypothesis on your poster. Next, use the fraction tools to test ideas and build a strategy section that includes a visual model and at least 2 matching equations. Your equations and model should show how the snack can be shared fairly among 4 people, and you may need to rewrite fractions as equivalent expressions to make your reasoning clear. After that, create an evidence checklist your team can use to test whether your solution is fair and accurate in each revision round. At each pause, your team will give a thumb rating for math understanding and collaboration and write one action to improve before moving on. Midway through the activity, you will meet with another team, explain your thinking to 2 peers, give feedback, and receive feedback on math accuracy and clarity. Then you will revise your poster, record what changed, and state your planned fair-share decision. Your goal is to leave with a poster that clearly shows your question, hypothesis, model, equations, evidence checklist, reflection notes, and revised strategy so you are ready for the next challenge and later presentation.