Each task begins with a teacher overview page that offers a task description, assumed student mathematical background, the mathematical ideas and processes central to the task, and classroom organizational information. This is followed by reproducible student pages that present the prompt for beginning the task and questions outlining issues related to the task. In a sample 45 minute task, students have the job of organizing a round robin table tennis competition. As part of the prompt, the class determines the number of matches involved in a three person tournament. In an example of an open-ended 180 minute task, students work in small groups to develop the rules for a carnival type game involving dropping a parachute on a target.
Students collect, organize, and interpret data on game outcomes and formulate a group final report.
In the report they identify three issues that require further investigation in order to design the best possible parachute game and justify their choices. A glossary of terms related to performance assessment is included. The tasks Long tasks 1. Border tiles 2. Table tennis 3.