My G/T students always LOVED solving calculator riddles similar to these, particularly the third graders! At some point, they noticed the square root key on the calculator and wanted to learn about it. So, I began teaching square numbers and square roots and over the years found a few great resources to accompany the lessons.
We started with simple 1/4″ or 1/2″ grid paper and crayons. I had the students create a page in their notebooks, similar to what is shown in the photo below. They colored the grid to show each square number, then cut them out and pasted them into their notebooks and labeled them. Students quickly understood square numbers and square roots and we used the calculators to practice multiplying numbers by themselves, then hitting the square root key.
Then I looked for problem-solving activities that would incorporate their new knowledge, but I didn’t want to just give them straight computation problems. NRICH has been a favorite math site of mine, and I found this fantastic problem that was perfect for my gifted third graders.
It’s called “One Wasn’t Square” and the lesson details, along with hints to get students started, make it easy to present to students. Be sure to check out the teacher resources for this problem as well; you will find the rationale, different approaches, and possible extensions. I love this website for challenging math problems!
If you have any ideas, tips, resources to share that relate to teaching square numbers and square roots, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below! Sharing benefits everyone! Also, if you’d like lesson ideas and resources delivered to your email inbox, you’ll want to subscribe!