Strategies for Problem Solving: Equip Kids to Solve Math Problems With Confidence

By Bethany Lake

This short book provides a simple framework for solving math problems. Easy to read, the problem solving strategies presented can be applied to countless math word problems, equipping students to solve with confidence. 

After covering the general process for solving any word problem, various strategies are discussed at length including: draw a picture, solve a simpler problem, make a list, work backwards, find a pattern and guess and check. 

This book also includes access to a handy printable summary page that students can stick in their notebooks and refer back to as they practice and become confident problem solvers!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bethany Lake
• Release date: Mar 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524240615

Book preview

Strategies for Problem Solving:

Equip Kids to Solve Math Problems With Confidence

By Bethany Lake

Founder of

MathGeekMama.com

Strategies for Problem Solving:

Equip Kids to Solve Math Problems With Confidence

© 2015 Bethany Lake. All Rights Reserved.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All contents of this book are protected under international and federal copyright laws. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author/publisher.

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Introduction:

There is one phrase that tends to evoke dread and anxiety in the hearts of countless students: Solve the following word problems. Word problems often seem like nonsense and are infinitely more confusing and challenging than a simple and straightforward math problem. Why is that? I think for many students, word problems are overwhelming. There are so many words and things to think about and consider, it can be hard to know where to start. And often, word problems include unnecessary information, making it a challenge to wade through everything and find what you actually need to solve it. This does not even consider students who struggle to read, or English language learners, who are challenged just trying to comprehend the words, much less the math involved.

So what is the solution? Stop assigning word (or story) problems? Of course not! It’s important for students to be exposed to real life applications, because that’s the whole point of learning math. In addition, it