Problem Solving In Mathematics

The motivation for this project originated with the Lane County Mathematics Project in Eugene, Oregon and the influence of Scott McFadden and Oscar Schaaf, both great problem solving advocates. There are many strategies for solving mathematical problems but I focused on the five listed below. By using these problems in your classroom for a few minutes each day, you can enhance your students' problem solving skills.

I have assembled approximately 30 problems in each of the five problem solving strategies listed below. These problems are suitable for grades 6 – 12. This would provide a teacher 150 days of problems to enhance these skills. I've labeled them Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, etc. and switch strategies every five days so that Day 6, Day 7, etc. would represent Week 2 and utilize problems using "Look for a Pattern" strategies, Day 11, Day 12, etc. would represent Week 3 and utilize "Make a Systematic List" type problems and so on. Day 26, Day 27 etc. would be back to "Guess and Check" strategies and represent Week 6. To access these problems, click on the desired type below.

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