All work and no play makes for a boring classroom! Bring back memories by analyzing the patterns of a tether ball. Given the dimensions of the ball, pole, and rope, young scholars must determine how many times the ball will wrap around the pole. Seems simple, but there are many variables to consider, making it a great thought-provoking problem.

Concepts

circumference, length, problem solving strategies, sequences

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Additional Tags

math

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Instructional Ideas

• Take pupils to a tether ball court to collect and record their own data
• Have each group present their methods and solutions; compare and contrast solutions and solution methods before showing the answer

Classroom Considerations

• Expects proficiency with circumference calculations

Pros

• Encourages multiple solutions methods and even multiple solutions
• Lends itself to multiple representations of the pattern

Cons

• None

Common Core

7.G.B.4