A facility with signed numbers forms the basis for effective problem solving throughout developmental mathematics. Most developmental mathematics textbooks explain signed number operations using absolute value, a method that involves considering the problem in several cases (same sign, opposite sign), and in the case of subtraction, rewriting the…

In its mathematics standards, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) states that problem solving is an integral part of all mathematics learning and exposure to problem solving strategies should be embedded across the curriculum. Furthermore, by high school, students should be able to use, decide and invent a wide range of strategies.…

This problem deck contains over 150 problems related to the module "Using Tables to Solve Problems." The problems are presented at five levels of difficulty and contain four basic types of two-dimensional tables: (1) constant sum; (2) constant differences; (3) constant quotient or ratio; and (4) constant product. (MP)

This monograph provides teachers with a wide range of articles on the teaching of problem solving in the mathematics classroom. The first section, on Understanding the Problem, includes articles which provide a sense of the "problem" of teaching problem solving. The second section, on Devising a Plan, provides suggested plans for…

This document is designed to assist teachers in helping students in further development of problem-solving skills. It consists of: a statement of purpose; an introduction (noting the place of problem-solving in junior high school mathematics curricula); a definition of problem-solving; a four-stage general framework for solving problems (which…

This document is designed to assist teachers in helping students in further development of problem-solving skills. It consists of: a statement of purpose; an introduction (noting the place of problem-solving in junior high school mathematics curricula); a definition of problem-solving; a four-stage general framework for solving problems (which…

Presented are eight student worksheets of block problems. Included are diagrams of the squares and hollow squares involved and a separate answer sheet for the problems. (CW)

The focus of this book is on a rationale and a set of strategies for problem generation in mathematics. Six chapters attempt to involve readers in the process of posing problems and in understanding why that process is important. Chapter 1 discusses two problem posing perspectives, while chapter 2 looks at the first phase of problem posing. The…

Presents some ideas about how teachers can foster mathematical communication by encouraging students to find multiple solutions to problems. Discusses three problems that help develop communication ability in mathematics. Views communication of multiple solutions as an instructional strategy to help students make sense of mathematics. (KHR)

Various methods for solving the problem of finding when the hour and minute hand of a watch have the same direction are explored. The relationship of these problems to the educational environment and the maturity of the student are discussed. (CW)

Basing their conclusions on studies in which (1) textbook problems were classified by students and parents and (2) texts were coded on several variables (e.g. sexually stereotyped occupations), the authors find textbooks are biased. They suggest several teacher strategies for countering this bias. (SD)

This teaching guide presents six lessons on using tables to solve problems. For each lesson, the guide gives the purpose, the rationales, materials, and detailed teaching procedures. The six lessons involve making a table, completing a table, using tables to solve problems (lessons 3 and 4), reading tables, and solving problems. Each lesson opens…

This collection of problems provides a resource for teachers to use in the classroom to improve the problem-solving experiences of their students. This book provides middle school teachers with some perspectives on problem solving. A framework for organizing the problem- solving experience is presented. Each phase of the problem-solving experience…

Presented are example activities which are typical of the topic focus and methods of approach evident in the Algebraic Thinking in Children (ATIC) project. This project is aimed at assisting children to ultimately make sense of formal algebra when it is presented. (CW)