There are so many math activities that complement each other in a math class. In a 30 to 45 minute time period you are teaching lessons that align to the standards, reviewing key concepts, and making sure everyone is ready to move onto the next idea. You do not have time to teach one more thing.
How to Find Time for Problem Solving
Time is a resource that is limited. You only have so much time. What if we reverse engineered our class schedule to fit in what matters most? If teaching problem solving increased your students’ math scores would it be worth it?
Let’s take a look at our math class schedule. What does your 30 to 45 minute class look like? Write down what you do during every math class on a piece of paper. Now let’s look at how we can find time for problem solving in our schedule.
How to Teach Problem Solving during Math Class
Beginning of Math Class
What do you do at the beginning of class? Do you have a problem on the board or a warm up exercise for students to solve? Let’s use this opportunity to make it a word problem. Every day give your students a word problem as their warm up bell ringer, before you start the new lesson or activity for the class. This is a great opportunity to review a previous lesson and challenge the students with a word problem.
Classwork
Most students enjoy the classwork part of the math lesson. It is the time when you can scaffold learning for the students. Teaching them through taking notes or a guided practice can help your students see the problem solving process. Talking out loud as you question how to solve a word problem is important. Students need to see the process in action and learn how to ask those same types of questions to get an answer.
End of Math Class
At the end of class students need a recap of what they have learned. It is the perfect opportunity to give them an exit ticket/slip with a word problem. Ask the students to independently solve it and turn it in on their way out of the classroom. This is a great way to do a quick informal check for understanding of math standards too. Giving immediate feedback will let the students know they are on the right track.
Problem Solving Tips
Some other ways to incorporate problem solving in your classroom:
- Quizzes – Give a short quiz with relevant word problems
- Task Cards – Introduce word problems with task cards
- Math Centers/Stations – Set up a problem solving station for students to complete
- Math Worksheets – Give students extra opportunities to solve problems
Schedule Time to Teach Problem Solving
You are already doing great things in the classroom. Try to incorporate problem solving strategies with word problems into one of those. Whether it is at the beginning, middle, or end of class, every minute problem solving will add up!
Learn More about How to Teach Problem Solving
If you would like more information on teaching problem solving, you will love the Problem Solving Masterclass. I created this 3-hour online professional development course to help teachers feel confident in teaching word problems to their students.
My Problem Solving Guide, Worksheets, and Answer Keys are ready for you to implement in your classroom today. Grab the Guide and sign up for the Masterclass waitlist today!
