Problem Solving

As part of our team's Maths Inquiry, we have been looking at the benefits of teaching children how to problem solve.
Last term it was my responsibility to find research that proves this.

Taken from

NZ Maths

Benefits of teaching children to problem solve:

• It bases students’ mathematical development on their current knowledge;
• It is an interesting and enjoyable way to learn mathematics;
• It is a way to learn new mathematics with greater understanding;
• It produces positive attitudes towards mathematics;
• It makes the student a junior research mathematician;
• It teaches thinking, flexibility and creativity;
• It teaches general problem solving skills;
• It encourages cooperative skills;
• It is a useful way to practice mathematical skills learned by other means;
• It is similar in approach to the way that other subjects are taught in primary school.

Problem Solving Strategies to teach

Levels 1 and 2

• Draw a Picture
• Act it Out
• Use Equipment
• Guess and Check

Levels 3 and 4

• Draw a Diagram
• Act it Out
• Use Equipment
• Guess and Improve
• Make a Table
• Make an Organised List

We also showed/ taught the different methods of problem solving and used this unit: