Improving Mathematical Problem Solving

Based on extensive research, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) has published a practice guide that provides five recommendations for improving students’ mathematical problem solving. This guide is geared toward teachers, math coaches, other educators, and curriculum developers who want to improve the mathematical problem solving of students.

The foundation for success in advanced mathematics is built on problem solving skills. Problem solving requires strong skills in reasoning, analysis, and argument construction, and the ability to apply innovative strategies to find a solution.

To help students become skilled problem solvers, teachers can:

• prepare problems to use in whole-class instruction
• provide explicit problem-solving instruction that teaches students to use visual representations, employ multiple strategies, and links mathematical concepts and notation to problems
• allow time to reflect and debrief on their strategies and solutions with classmates

While these skills should be taught at all levels, it's especially important to help students develop them as progress toward the more complex math concepts they will learn in high school.
Problem solving skills are essential for students as they progress through the entire mathematics curriculum. Students who develop proficiency in mathematical problem solving early are better prepared for advanced mathematics and other complex problem-solving tasks. Unfortunately, when compared with students in other countries, students in the U.S. are less prepared to solve mathematical problems.
Problem solving involves reasoning and analysis, argument construction, and the development of innovative strategies. These abilities are used not only in advanced mathematics topics — such as algebra, geometry and calculus—but also throughout the entire mathematics curriculum beginning in kindergarten, as well as in subjects such as science.
Pepper has released a new workshop focused on Improving Mathematical Problem Solving as part of it’s new Pepper Online Workshop (POW!) content. By taking this workshop you will explore strategies to help students become skilled problem solvers. Participants will be understand and take a deeper look at the three components involved in teaching problem solving to students.

You can check all of our new POW content by visiting the Courses and Workshops section on your dashboard.

Math Matters.

Math Matters.

For many students, math is hard. They don’t see the value or connection of solving pages of math problems to their everyday life. Will they ever need Algebra? As teachers of math, we see it’s importance. However, conveying that to our students can be challenging. Teaching a student to think creatively and to solve problems is one of the greatest gifts we can give them as a teacher. Karim Ani, former middle school teacher and math coach, founder of Mathalicious, talks about the importance of relating math to everyday life and making it relevant for today’s students in his recent Edutopia post, “Why Math?”. According to Ani, “Mathematics allows us to discuss important issues in a meaningful, constructive way. Why math? Because it allows us to be better citizens.”

EdWeek’s recent article, “What Two Schools are Doing About Teachers’ Math Anxiety”, states that retraining is the best way for teachers to feel comfortable teaching math according to new standards. 

Pepper offers a variety of math professional development courses designed by WestEd to sharpen your skills and help you relate math to your students, including “Conceptual Categories in High School”. 

Be sure to check them out here: Pepper Math Courses.

BRAND NEW! Check out these AMAZING Math courses that just hit PEPPER!

Two fantastic new middle school mathematics professional development courses are available in Pepper now. Take a look at the courses and their descriptions and get excited about the opportunities to be prepared and ready to work with your students as the new school year kicks into gear! Click on the course titles to learn even more about what you'll discover if you sign up!

Getting Started With Expressions and Equations (6-8)

Take a deep dive into the Expressions and Equations domain and the clusters of standards it includes at each grade level. Study the clusters of standards for each grade, work on math tasks related to each cluster, and learn more about the mathematics education research behind the CCSS.

Implementing Expressions and Equations (6-8).

Continue your journey into Expressions and Equations by understanding how to implement the domain effectively in your classroom. This course is designed to follow Getting Started with Expressions and Equations course.