Digging into the Common Core: Deep Division!

We are just wrapping up our unit on division, and I wanted to know if they really understood what it is, so I decided to have them create their own problems.  In order to get their best work, I told them we would be compiling our problems into a book to be given to our principal for Christmas.  K-5 Math Teaching Resources  is a fantastic site for problems and activities aligned to the Common Core Standards.  I found a problem aligned with 5.NBT6: Find whole-number quotients of whole numbers with up to four-digit dividends and two-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.  The students were asked to:

1. Create a word problem that could be solved by dividing a three digit dividend by a two digit divisor.

2. Estimate the answer to your problem.  Explain your strategy.

3. Solve your problem.  Show all your work.

4. Use a different method of solving your problem to check that your answer is accurate.  Explain your strategy.  

I was really looking to see if they knew the difference between the operations.  We have discussed clue words here and there but not in depth.  Most students were on the right track; only a couple did an addition or subtraction problem.  I made them peer edit their problems before putting them on good paper.  The front showed the problem, while the back showed their estimate and solution.  We had a blast!  They are really proud of their problems, and most included me eating cookies....I wonder where they got that idea? :)

Here are some fantastic examples of our work!