This paper describes the research program of the Mathematics Work Group of the Wisconsin Research and Development Center for Individualized Schooling. The major interest is in the development of children's abilities to solve verbal addition and subtraction problems and particularly in the processes and strategies used by children. Three factors…

Argues that there is a sense of surprise and wonder that can result from looking back at problem solutions and there is a potential for then creating unexpected, even memorable, alternative solutions. Example problems with routine solutions and alternative approaches uncovered while "looking back" at the solution are given. (PK)