I always say a little prayer before reading this story to my fourth and fifth-grade gifted students. It’s one that I’ve seen almost drive kids to tears. Fair warning!
If you’re familiar with the Sideways Stories series, but unfamiliar with Sideways Arithmetic (affiliate links), you need to know that the latter goes beyond offbeat and silly scenarios at Wayside School. The problems embedded within the story are math puzzles that will challenge elementary math whizzes, and completely frustrate some of your students. But therein lies the reason to present them! I always told my students, “If your brain doesn’t hurt when you leave my class, I haven’t done my job.”
In the book, the students begin a math lesson and, because it’s Wayside School, it’s not your usual math class. The first problem presented is ELF + ELF = FOOL. As the reader soon discovers, this is a math puzzle, with the letters representing single digits. The fun begins as students work to determine the values of E, L, F, and O.
I’ve found it can go a bit smoother if, prior to reading this book, you present some puzzles and problems in which numerals represent single digits. LETTER LAND is an example of such a problem. If this type of problem is totally new to you, the solution given explains the reasoning. However, I’ve also recorded a little lesson below, which you can use to explain to your students how these math problems work.
LETTER LAND PROBLEM
Once you’ve presented how to think through this type of problem, your students are better prepared to tackle the problems in Sideways Arithmetic at Wayside School. Resist the urge to give too much help. Let students grapple with the possibilities! However, if you notice some tears welling up, definitely step in. Here is an explanation of how to solve the first problem in the book.
SIDEWAYS ARITHMETIC PROBLEM #1
If this kind of math drives YOU crazy, well- I have no solution for that! However, if you and your students enjoy these kinds of problems, there is a sequel called More Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School! (affiliate link)
These kinds of math problems are seen in many math competitions such as the Math Olympiad, so you’re doing your students a favor by introducing them. If you try this with your students, leave a comment and let us know how it went!
Donna- I purchased the book and read the first chapter last week to my 4th/5th grade Scholars. They went back to their classrooms and asked their teachers and peers to figure out elf+elf=fool. They LOVED it!!! I had a teacher ask me to explain how to do it. LOL Thanks for sharing your ideas and what has worked in your classroom!
Jennifer, this makes me so happy. I’m so glad your students enjoyed it and then wanted to share it. It’s fun when that happens!