To be able to categorize tasks one must be able to identify the levels of cognitive demand. Below are examples of each type of low and high cognitive demand.
After reviewing the examples below you should be able to attempt the task sort challenge. Good Luck!
This task is an example of a memorization task, because it requires students to reproduce previously used facts that have been committed to memory.
Sample Student Response:
8-3=5
Procedures without Connections
Quentin has 123 toy cars. He gets rid of 19 toy cars. How many toy cars does he have left?
This task is an example of a procedure without connections, because it requires students to use a procedure that is specifically called for and its algorithmic.
Sample Student Response:
123 -19 104
High Cognitive Demand
I started with one 100 flat. I traded it for 10 rods of 10. I traded one of the rods for 10 units of 1. I took 5 units away from the 10 units and had 5 units left. Then I took 1 tens rod away from the 9 ten rods left and had 8 tens rods. So my answer is 8 tens and 5 units, so 85.
Procedures with Connections
Find 105-15 using base ten blocks. Write and draw your answer and explain your solution.
This task is an example of procedures with connections, because it focuses students use of a procedure with the purpose of developing deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and ideas. Sample Student Response:
Doing Mathematics Create a real-world situation situation for the problem below: 75-25=_____ Solve the problem you created using drawings to show how you solved it. Explain your solution.
This is an example of doing mathematics, because no procedure is specified students must come up with their own method for solving the problem and then apply it to a real world situation. Sample Student Response: I had 3 quarters. I bought a lollipop for 1 quarter. How many quarters do I have left and what amount of cents does it equal. 1 quarter=25 cents so, 3 quarters-1 quarter=2 quarters 50 cents