It’s no secret that story problems can be the bane of math class for many students. The truth is, however, that they are very important when learning mathematical concepts.

“Story problems are the heart of math principles like rates and ratios,” said Wasatch Junior High math teacher Charity Gleason. “It’s useless unless they are applied to the real world.”

Fortunately, Gleason’s class is working to take away that bad reputation by making story problems of their own on Canvas.

Working in small groups, the students develop their own story problems complete with pictures, videos from YouTube, and scenarios imagined from their own imaginations. Some groups chose to include animals or bake sales, others developed topics a little more comical; like the rate of donuts eaten per hour until the diner explodes.

With the story problems uploaded to Canvas, students can view and comment on their peers’ projects, and parents can see student projects from home.

“It’s lessening the fear of the story problem,” Gleason said.