xiv ◆ Foreword
Problem Solved
In 2015, I began helping elementary teachers to implement guided math.
While searching for practical resources to share with teachers, I happened
upon “Dr. Nicki’s Guided Math Blog.” Finally, some concrete assistance
to help educators! I shared Dr. Nicki’s book, Guided Math in Action: Build-
ing Each Student’s Mathematical Proficiency with Small-Group Instruction
(Routledge, 2013). However, my teachers needed more, so we were able
to implement a professional development model where Dr. Nicki presented
components of guided math, modeled guided math in classrooms,
observed teachers, provided feedback and helped teachers with lesson
planning. Dr. Nicki is a walking repository of math research with practical
application tools for implementation. She was able to articulate the needed
components of guided math with an emphasis on problem solving to
engage students.
Teachers need not only to understand why problem solving is neces-
sary but also how to implement this critical component into teaching.
Now, in this new book Math Problem Solving in Action, Dr. Nicki provides
practical strategies that remove the mystery for educators. In Chapters 3
and 4 she outlines the problem-solving structures that students can use
to put a “handle” on word problems. Each chapter provides many practi-
cal tools and strategies to help both teachers and students attack problem
solving in meaningful ways. Of particular help to my teachers was creating
the Math Toolkits explained in Chapter 7 and focusing on improving our
mathematical language when discussing problems explained in Chapter 5.
Using these resources in daily lesson planning will assist elementary
teachers in equipping our students with the critical thinking and
problem-solving skills necessary for our successful future.
Happy problem solving!
Dr. Rhonda Wade
Principal
Brazosport ISD, Texas