Students should understand that sometimes, an estimate will be accurate enough to serve as an answer. Even in cases where exact answers are to be calculated, however, students must understand that it is almost always a good idea to have an estimate in mind so that the computed answer can be checked against it. The cumulative progress indicators for grade 8 appear below in boldface type. Each indicator is followed by activities which illustrate how it can be addressed in the classroom in grades 7 and 8. Recognize when estimation is appropriate, and understand the usefulness of an estimate as distinct from an exact answer.
Students regularly tackle problems for which estimation is the only possible approach.
Solution strategies are always discussed with the whole class. Prepare a presentation that includes the amount of peanuts to order, the costs of selling the peanuts, the profits that will be made, and the other logistics of selling the peanuts. Organize a schedule with estimated times for completion for the entire project. Students use estimation skills to run a business using Hot Dog Stand or Survival Math software. Students apply estimation skills to algebraic situation as they try to guess the equations to hit the most globs in Green Globs software.