Grades 3-5 Math Problem Solving in Action_ Getting Students to Love Word Problems

12

Action Plan

◆ 163

Problem solving is an integral part of the mathematics learning. In

everyday life and in the workplace, being able to solve problems can

lead to great advantages.

(NCTM, 2000)

If you want your students to actually learn how to problem solve, you
must have a plan that you implement. That plan consists of several parts,
including assessments, a daily routine, guided math lessons, workstations,
homework and possibly a schoolwide activity. Next are different templates
to help you think about where you are currently and where you want to
be (see Figures 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 and 12.4).

Figure 12.1 Reflection Grid About Problem Solving

Whole Class

Routines

Class Anchor

Charts

Good; Okay;

Needs Work

Class Toolkits

Good; Okay;

Needs Work

Problem of the Day

Good; Okay; Needs

Work

Small Group

Instruction

Do you have the

data to support

the work you are

doing in small

groups?

Good; Okay; Needs

Work

Do you do have

a variety of

activities in your

word problem

sessions?

Good; Okay;

Needs Work

How do you assess the

work you are doing in

small groups? What is

the immediate feedback

that you collect to see if

you are accomplishing

what you set out to

teach and that the

students are actually

learning what you

mean for them to learn?

Good; Okay; Needs Work