Cultivating DoDEA Elementary Students' Problem-Solving Skills
by Michael ODay, DoDEA Americas
April 16, 2025

At Heroes Elementary School, part of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) in the Americas region, teacher Erica Edwards is revolutionizing third-grade math education with a hands-on gardening project. This innovative approach, called Opportunity Based Learning, teaches students about area and perimeter through real-world experiences rather than traditional classroom instruction alone.

By planting seeds and calculating the space their plants need, students master math concepts while sharpening critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Edwards explains, "Learning happens when passion and interest are harnessed. By providing opportunities beyond the traditional classroom, we create problem solvers, innovative thinkers, and eager learners."

This method, akin to project-based or work-based learning, connects students to the material through personal engagement. Edwards believes its strength lies in addressing individual learning styles, ensuring all students can excel with the same rigorous content. "DoDEA teachers excel at extending learning beyond the classroom," she says, emphasizing that sparking a passion for discovery fosters lifelong learners.

In a recent unit on perimeter and area, Edwards’ students tackled a practical challenge: planting seeds in a tray with a total area of 288 square inches and calculating both the area their plants would occupy and the perimeter of a fence to separate their plot from others’. Aligned with Common Core State Standards ... like recognizing area as additive and solving real-world perimeter problems ... the project brought math to life. Students planted a seed in one cell, mapped their plant’s area on grid paper, and faced an unexpected hurdle with perimeter.

Initially, adding all sides of their individual spaces yielded incorrect totals. "They realized that when shapes join, some sides disappear," Edwards notes. "They had to combine their shapes, measure the new side lengths, and recalculate. It was incredible to see them dive into this real-world problem."

This tangible activity ensures that while the math content remains consistent, the engagement varies, empowering students of all learning styles. "It was inspiring to watch them apply critical thinking," Edwards reflects. "Learning differs for each student, but opportunities like this encourage decision-making and problem-solving."

Beyond meeting standards, this approach nurtures creativity and analytical skills, preparing students for future challenges. Edwards sees it as planting seeds ... literal and metaphorical ... for growth. "Let’s watch learning grow!" she exclaims. Through Opportunity Based Learning, she’s cultivating not just plants, but a generation of innovative thinkers ready to tackle the world beyond the classroom.

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DoDEA operates as a field activity of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. It is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and managing pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade educational programs for the Department of Defense. DoDEA operates 161 accredited schools in 9 districts in 11 foreign countries, seven states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA Americas operates 50 accredited schools across two districts, located on 16 military installations, including Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard bases in seven states, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. Committed to excellence in education, DoDEA fosters well-rounded, lifelong learners, equipping them to succeed in a dynamic world.

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) | U.S. Department of Defense

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