Sugar and Spice - Stir in Problem Solving into Your Grade 7 & 8 Mathematics Classroom

Sep 12, 2026

Working Together for Catholic Education presents “Sugar and Spice,” a Grade 7–8 Mathematics resource centered on problem solving as a daily classroom practice. It frames math learning as communication, reflection, and holistic thinking aligned with Catholic graduate learner expectations, emphasizing problem-based and inquiry-based strategies. The text highlights how educators can shift from dispensing knowledge to facilitating authentic learning through discussion, questioning, and collaborative risk-taking, connecting abstract concepts to real-world relevance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages101

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Topic Page

A Balanced Diet! Problem Solving in the Math Classroom

Daily Specials! Two Essential Themes

Snacks: Making Math Magical

Sending the Invitations Creating a Risk-Taking Environment

Utensils Using Math Manipulatives to Move from the Abstract to the Concrete

Reading the Recipes Teaching Reading Strategies in Math

Creating and Following The Problem Solving Process

No Nibbling! The Hardest Part of Teaching

Add a Pinch or Dash Asking Questions

Warm-up Activities

Smorgasbord! Samples of Problem Solving Activities

Rich Learning Tasks

Savour the Flavour! Writing in Math

My Compliments to the Assessment in Math

Cooperative Learning in Math

Taking Math Home

Final words

Activity Sheets and Templates

Solutions and Comments

Text Resources; Web Sites

| | | | --- | --- | Working Together for Catholic Education Sugar and Spice Stir in Problem Solving into Your Grade 7 & 8 Mathematics Classroom Hélène Coulombe Ottawa Carleton Catholic School Board | | | | --- | --- | Working Together for Catholic Education Copyright Policy © Copyright 2006 Eastern Ontario Catholic Curriculum Cooperative It is the policy of the Eastern Ontario Catholic Curriculum Cooperative to make one copy of each document available at no cost, to each member board and to the other Ontario Catholic Cooperatives. Permission is granted to the three Ontario Catholic Curriculum Cooperatives to duplicate and distribute any portions of this resource for non-commercial and/or educational purposes only, by first purchasing original copies of each for their schools, acknowledging the source. The writers have attempted to acknowledge all original sources of information. Should you locate an item for which no acknowledgement is included, please advise the Cooperative immediately. 3 Sugar and Spice Stir in Problem Solving into Your Grade 7 & 8 Mathematics Classroom Topic Page A Balanced Diet! Problem Solving in the Math 4 Classroom Daily Specials! Two Essential Themes 7 Snacks: Making Math Magical 10 Bet you can’t serve one! Students will want more! Sending the Invitations Creating a Risk-Taking Environment 12 Utensils Using Math Manipulatives to Move 15 from the Abstract to the Concrete Reading the Recipes Teaching Reading Strategies in 18 Math Creating and Following The Problem Solving Process 25 Recipes No Nibbling! The Hardest Part of Teaching 29 Add a Pinch or Dash Asking Questions 31 Appetizers Warm-up Activities 34 Smorgasbord! Samples of Problem Solving 39 Activities Dessert! Rich Learning Tasks 43 Savour the Flavour! Writing in Math 50 My Compliments to the Assessment in Math 53 Chef! You Wash! I’ll Dry! Cooperative Learning in Math 56 Fast Food Taking Math Home 62 A Balanced Diet Final words 66 Sharing Recipes Activity Sheets and Templates 67 Secret Ingredients! Solutions and Comments 86 Food for Thought! Text Resources; Web Sites 94 5 Problem Solving Stir in into Your Grade 7 & 8 Mathematics Classroom A Balanced Diet! Problem Solving in the Mathematics Classroom In our adult world, we face challenges and problems every day! Everything from balancing the home budget, to preparing meals, fixing the leaky faucet and predicting when to buy gas at its lowest price! As educators, if we can help our students to perceive problems as challenges rather than obstacles that stand in their way, then we will make a profound difference in their lives. As catholic educators, we share a vision of what the Catholic graduate learner should look like. We believe that each student should strive to be‘effective communicators’(CGE 2), both in literacy and in numeracy. Expectations from the Ontario Curriculum stress verbs such as describe, explain, model, relate, demonstrate, and justify. When students are asked to communicate, explain and reflect back on their thought processes then they learn from the retelling and relating not just the ‘recalling’ of information given to them. We encourage our students to be‘reflective, creative and holistic thinkers’(CGE 3) . Looking at a problem and realizing that there may be many solutions to the same problem adds depth and appreciation of the problem’s complexity. Students learn to continue to search for answers eventhough one solution has been found. Looking at the whole problem and its context, rather than teaching skills in isolation, fosters real-world connections and relevance for students. No longer will we hear,“When are we ever going to use this?” Most importantly, we want our students to be ‘self-directed, responsible lifelong learners’(CGE 4) . Educational changes in the last decade and research based on how we learn have shown students to be more than passive receptacles o

FAQs

What is the main focus of “Sugar and Spice” for Grade 7–8 Mathematics?

The resource focuses on integrating problem solving into everyday math instruction using inquiry and problem-based strategies.

How does the document describe the role shift for educators and students?

Responsibility for connections and validating thinking moves to students, while educators act as facilitators who shape authentic learning experiences through questioning and discussion.

Which learning skills and habits are emphasized for students in this approach?

Students are encouraged to communicate, explain, reflect, continue searching for solutions, and connect prior knowledge to new experiences in a collaborative community.

Sep 12, 2026

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