Math Language Routine 4: Wrong Two Ways

Speaker: “Wrong Two Ways” helps students prepare for problem solving, and it encourages them to refine their ideas. Here’s how you do it:

When students have a task with a numerical solution, before they begin to work on the task, ask them to come up with a solution that is clearly too large (wrong #1), clearly too small (wrong #2), and an estimate that is just about right.

In pairs or small groups, again, before they solve the task, have the students share their estimates and explain how they recognized that their wrong ways were wrong and that their reasonable estimate was reasonable. Encourage them to refine their ideas if they’d like.

After the students complete the task, have them revisit their estimates with their peers.

Now go ahead and give “Wrong Two Ways” a try.