MYP Assessment Task Bank

Patterns in Staircases

Patterns in Staircases
In this assessment, students investigate the number of cubes required to make staircases of different dimensions and types when they are drawn on an isometric grid. Starting with guided questions, they are to draw staircases and recognize patterns in the number of cubes required to make them. Then, as the staircases become more complex, so do the patterns to find the number of cubes required for them.
Math Concepts: sequences formulas square numbers patterns
MYP Related Concepts: models patterns space
MYP Key Concepts: form relationships
MYP Global Context: Orientation in Space and Time
Details
Grade level: 10
Level: Standard
Criteria: B
Rating: 0

The Josephus Problem

The Josephus Problem
In this assessment, students need to recognize and apply certain properties of exponents and powers to successfully complete the investigation, as well as apply spatial reasoning and logical thinking. The final outcome of determining a general rule to predict the survivor’s position with any number of soldiers in the circle need not be expressed algebraically, but students will need to provide a clear description of their general rule and demonstrate verification of their results.
Math Concepts: exponents power operations patterns sequences
MYP Related Concepts: systems
MYP Key Concepts: development
MYP Global Context: Fairness and Development
Details
Grade level: 6
Level: Standard
Criteria: B, C
Rating: 0

Straight Lines Investigation

Straight Lines Investigation
Parallel and perpendicular lines have algebraic rules within the structures of their equations, both in the standard form and gradient-intercept form. This investigation asks students to model straight lines on the cartesian plane and then explore the patterns within coefficients of the variables for the two forms of the equations.
Math Concepts: parallel lines perpendicular lines straight lines gradient simple ratios standard from of a line gradient-intercept form of a line
MYP Related Concepts: equivalence patterns representation
MYP Key Concepts: perspective relationships
MYP Global Context: Scientific and Technical Innovation
Details
Grade level: 8
Level: Standard
Criteria: B, C
Rating: 0

Who washes the dishes?

Who washes the dishes?
In this investigation, students learn how to create a fair game, i.e. a game that provides equal likelihood of “winning” to all players, as they explore a process to find cases in which the probability of taking out two marbles of the same color is equal to the probability of taking out two marbles of different colors.
Math Concepts: probability sample space tree diagram triangular numbers
MYP Related Concepts: equivalence patterns
MYP Key Concepts: creativity logic
MYP Global Context: Fairness and Development
Details
Grade level: 9
Level: Extended
Criteria: B, C
Rating: 0

Virus on a Plantation

Virus on a Plantation
In a large plantation, a plant got infected, mostly likely through some sort of insect or bug. The virus infecting the plant acts fast: in just one day not only does it spread to all closest plants, it also kills its original host plant. In this investigation students explore the spread of a virus on a plantation in different scenarios: at first the spread on plants planted in a row, then on plants planted in a rectangular grid, and finally on a hexagonal grid.
Math Concepts: sequence patterns
MYP Related Concepts: generalization systems
MYP Key Concepts: connections
MYP Global Context: Globalization and Sustainability
Details
Grade level: 6
Level: Standard
Criteria: B
Rating: 0