Problem Solving By George Ansell

George Ansell is an English poet. As a teacher, he enjoyed writing poetry to go with the topics he would be teaching.

'I think I've got the answer Miss,
The answer's forty-one!'
'The answer's nothing like it Jack,
Just show me what you've done'

'I've nothing here to show you, Miss,
I did it in my head'
'In that case, jack, next time please use
The abacus instead'

'I think I've found the trouble, Miss,
The answer's fifty- three'
'I'm sorry Jack, it's nothing like,
Come here and copy me'

The next day Jack was talking
With his dad and with his mum
'So, Jack' they said 'Did you find out
The answer to that sum?'

'I did' said Jack 'Although I couldn't
Do it in my head
I found a way to get Miss Clark
To work it out instead!'

Match the lines from the poem with their meanings.

A	B
a. I did it in my head	i. Let me solve the sum for you.
b. The answer's nothing like it.	ii. I solved the sum mentally.
c. Come here and copy me	iii. I have found my mistake.
d. I think I've found the trouble	iv. It is not the correct answer.

2.
"I have nothing here to show you, Miss,
I did it in my head"
1. What did the teacher ask Jack to show?
2. Why did he have nothing to show to his teacher?
3. How did the teacher ask Jack to solve the sum?
3.
Why do you think Jack would not use the abacus? Circle the words that you would use to describe him. Also give reasons for your choice of words.

clever confident cunning lazy
nervous obedient skilful
4.
Jack's parents knew that he had a problem solving a sum. Why do you think they did not solve the sum for him?
5.
Jack repeatedly did the sum incorrectly so that the teacher worked it out for him. Do you think getting others to solve your problems is right? Give reasons for your answer.
6.
Pick words from the poem that rhyme with these words. Add two more rhyming words of your own for each.
1. head
2. three
3. sum

1 more answer(s) available.

Problem Solving

clever	confident	cunning	lazy
nervous	obedient	skilful