Top 10 Ways to Develop Better Problem Solvers

#1  JUST DO IT!

• Use a Problem of the Day

• MATH FORUM Problem of the Week
      Elementary Grades
     Middle and Secondary Grades

• Actually DO the Word Problems in the Textbook!

#2  Use Problem Posing Strategies

• The Art of Problem Posing by Stephen Brown and Marion Walter

#3  Create a Math Trail

#4  Use LOGO

• Free LOGO Software (Windows)

• Free LOGO Software (Mac)

• LOGO Foundation Website

#5  Emphasize Explaining

• Models and Pictures Help Communicate Solutions

#6  Value Mistakes

• They provide valuable information for the solution

• See article "The Value of Mistakes" in Mathematics Teaching in the Middles School (2001, September)

#7  Work in Groups

#8  Give Plenty of Time

• Students need problems that may take 20 to 30 minutes to solve

• Polygon Capture  Go to the Illuminations Web Site

• Four-in-a-Row Games
  Directions
  Directions pdf version

• Decimals #1
  Decimals #1 pdf version
  

• Decimals #2
  Decimals #2 pdf version

• Percentages
  Percentages pdf version
  

• Multiplication #1
  Multiplication #1 pdf version

• Multiplication #2
  Multiplication #2 pdf version

• Subtraction #1
  Subtraction #1 pdf version

• Subtraction #2
  Subtraction #2 pdf version

• Fractions
  Fractions pdf version

Back to Mathematics & Computer Science homepage >>>