How many squares?

The students were put into groups of three today to solve a math problem.  They were asked to figure out how many total squares were in a 4 by 4 section of our tile floor in our classroom.  They had to write down how they solved the problem before I would look at their answer.  The work shown below was completed by Joel, Maddie and Zack.

1. We’ll put the 4 by 4 meter sticks on the tiles.
2. We’ll count the tiles.  
3. We’ll write the number of small squares on the paper to add.
4. We’ll find the bigger squares.
5. We’ll put that number on the paper to add.
6. We’ll find the even bigger squares.
7. We’ll write down the the number of squares to add.
8. If there are any more squares we’ll count them.
9. We’ll put that number on the paper.
10. We’ll add the numbers and get the answer hopefully.
11. We’ll tell Mr.Waara if we are done.
12. We’ll repeat if we are wrong.

16

  9                   

  4

+ 1

___

30