These links are from the March/April, 2007 issue of The Oregon Mathematics Teacher. For internet links from previous issues, see the Bookmark Archives.
You can contact Sonya at richarso@onid.orst.edu.
This month I searched for mathematics problem solving and found a wealth of material, some new, some familiar that I think you will appreciate. Please note that the material on the NWREL website seems to be the material that was formerly found on the Oregon Education Department websites.
NWREL: The NWREL Mathematics Problem-Solving Model includes a scoring guide for problem solving, open-ended tasks, and examples of student work for practice in scoring. Explore this site to learn more about teaching strategies for mathematics problem solving
http://www.nwrel.org/msec/mpm/
Absurd Math: Here is an interactive online mathematical problem solving game series. The player proceeds on missions in a strange world where the ultimate power consists of mathematical skill and knowledge. Many of the pages have hidden clues and areas. Help is available by e-mail. Teachers and parents may e-mail for answer keys.
http://www.learningwave.com/abmath/
Problem Solving Strategies: This website takes an organized look at established problem solving procedures. It looks at the problem situation, the collection of appropriate information, the identification of strategies, and using the strategies effectively. It includes many ideas from G. Polya, author of ‘How to Solve It' in 1957.
http://math.about.com/library/weekly/aa041503a.htm
Word Problems for Kids: This Web Site contains word problems for students and teachers. The problems are classified into grade levels from Grade 5 to Grade 12. This is a set of carefully selected problems which can help improve problem solving skills. Students are coached to carefully think about how to solve each problem, and once they have found the solution, to make sure that they understand all parts of the solution. Helpful hints are available.
http://www.stfx.ca/special/mathproblems/
Franklin Institute, Resources for Science Learning: This site is for the specific purpose of preparing Middle School students for open-ended math problem solving on standardized tests. Each month has been divided into the five strands from the Philadelphia math standards: Number Theory; Measurement; Geometry; Patterns, Algebra, and Functions; and Data, Statistics, and Probability.
http://www.fi.edu/school/math2/index.html
House of Math Word Problems for Children: The goal of this math website is to help elementary and middle school children boost their math problem solving and critical-thinking skills. It has over 15,000 interactive and non-interactive NCTM compliant math word problems for children to enjoy! Word problems are available in both English and Spanish. Parents may use this material free at home.
Math Forum: Browse and Search the extensive library of references to problem solving materials. This is an amazing resource!
http://mathforum.org/library/topics/problem_solving/
Searching for Solutions, a Web-Based Problem-Solving Unit: This web-based unit introduces students to strategies and real-life practice activities for applying problem-solving skills. Students investigate real problems through a variety of websites and group activities. This web-based unit ties directly into the Passport to Mathematics program. Developed by Judy Campf, e-Learning Specialist
http://faculty.goucher.edu/jcampf/searching_for_solutions.htm
Math Lab: This website from the School District of Manatee County Florida is designed for grades 2-5. It has a large variety of links to math resources including Math Problem-Solving Worksheets and FCAT Practice Tasks for Florida, grades 2-5. The graphics and interactive games are truly great at this website.
http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/palmasola/wordprobsindex.htm
RHL School: This site features original mathematics problem solving worksheets for teachers and parents to copy for their kids. They are most appropriate for grades four and five, but many are designed to be challenging and informative to older and more advanced students as well.
http://www.rhlschool.com/math.htm
