"Why do we need Algebra?" A common refrain from students. This problem might work for some of your junior students. Cynthia Lanius from Rice University posted this over a decade ago about using Algebra and Calendars. She starts by asking students to pick for days that form a square and adding the dates together. The students tell her the sum and she tells them the 4 days. She uses some basic algebra in her head to do this. To see the site click here. If you want to see the algebraic solution to the problem click here.
