Powerful Problem Solving: Activities for Sense Making with the Mathematical Practices

by Susan O'Connell

How can we break the cycle of frustrated students who "drop out of math" because the procedures just don't make sense to them? Or who memorize the procedures for the test but don't really understand the mathematics? Max Ray-Riek and his colleagues at the Math Forum @ Drexel University say "problem solved," by offering their collective wisdom about how students become proficient problem solvers, through the lens of the CCSS for Mathematical Practices. They unpack the process of problem solving in fresh new ways and turn the Practices into activities that teachers can use to foster habits of mind required by the Common Powerful Problem Solving shows what's possible when students become active doers rather than passive consumers of mathematics. Max argues that the process of sense-making truly begins when we create questioning, curious classrooms full of students' own thoughts and ideas. By asking "What do you notice? What do you wonder?" we give students opportunities to see problems in big-picture ways, and discover multiple strategies for tackling a problem. Self-confidence, reflective skills, and engagement soar, and students discover that the goal is not to be "over and done," but to realize the many different ways to approach problems. Read a .

Genres: Education, Mathematics

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2013

Reviews

[Gabrielle Sivak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of the ideas from this book have stuck with me in my teaching. It was a great one to read as a team to bounce around ideas.

[Erin Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want fun and practical lessons to help your students become better at problem solving? Then this is the book for you! Learn how to use simple activities and questioning techniques to build strong problem solving among your students!
I really like how hands on this book is! It was difficult to read through it only because I found activities throughout the book that I wanted to do with my students.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I did not like the writing style. However, this book is full of different activities that will (presumably) make students more proficient problem solvers.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for the tip, Franki. Great book. I'll be starting math with Communication and Community.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Problem solving. We all would love our students to be better at it. We like to say it's about the reading, but we have proficient readers who struggle with problem solving. It's not (always) about the reading. (Soapbox done.) This book will give you strategies and tips to help you and the students discover problem solving and making sense of it. In many ways, the book is common sense. If it was though, we would all already be doing it. The activities were broad and sometimes, I found, vague. I think many teachers would find them difficult to follow with a group of students. That being said, I think this is a great resource and definitely something teachers should be putting in to practice starting right now!