A Fifth-Grader-Sized Stack of Quarters or $180: Which Would You Choose?

As fifth graders transition into the Upper School, they encounter new challenges that foster their growth and development in age-appropriate ways. One significant change for these newly minted Upper Schoolers is the addition of Math Lab to their schedules.

“Math Lab provides students with additional time to engage in math through interactive and thought-provoking activities beyond their regular math period. It brings together students from across the grade, mixing them outside of their usual math classes, to collaborate and problem-solve in a dynamic setting,” said Upper School Math Teacher Jess Angelo.

In a recent Math Lab session, fifth graders were presented with an intriguing challenge: “Would you rather have a stack of quarters as tall as you or $180?” Working in pairs and equipped with limited resources—a tape measure, a few quarters, scratch paper, and a pencil—students dove into the task to determine which option was more valuable.

After tackling the problem, each group shared their strategies and conclusions with the class. It became clear that there was no single way to approach the challenge; each group had developed a unique method to arrive at their conclusions, highlighting the diverse thinking skills nurtured in Math Lab.

So, what’s the answer? Well, that depends on your height!