Problem Solving
Explore resources designed to help students become skilled problem solvers in grades 4 through 8. 
- View a visual diagram of all three practices
- Watch a topic overview and download planning templates
- Listen to an expert
Explore the subtopics below to learn more about the recommended practices:
To learn more about the research underlying these practices, view the IES Practice Guide, Improving Mathematical Problem Solving in Grades 4 Through 8.
Debriefing Student Solutions
Problem Solving > Reflect & Debrief > Overview & Tools
Teachers can use this tool as a guide to help them remember prompts and strategies that extend students’ thinking about problem solving while they debrief different approaches to solving a...
Resource Type
Tool
Learning Together About Monitoring and Debriefing
Problem Solving > Reflect & Debrief > Overview & Tools
With this workshop, professional development providers can help teachers practice facilitating their students’ monitoring of their thinking during problem solving and verbalizing alternative ways...
Resource Type
Tool
Observing Students' Understanding of the Problem-Solving Process
Problem Solving > Reflect & Debrief > Overview & Tools
Teachers can use this observation tool to monitor students’ understanding of the problem-solving process and determine needs for additional instruction. Related Media: Monitoring the...
Resource Type
Tool
Developing Problem-Solving Thinkalouds
Problem Solving > Reflect & Debrief > Overview & Tools
This instructional planner helps mathematics coaches and teachers plan how they will demonstrate to students how to reflect on their thinking as they solve problems. The planner helps prepare a...
Resource Type
Tool
Tasks and Question Prompts
Problem Solving > Reflect & Debrief > See How It Works
This sample question list is organized to go along with tasks in problem solving. Teachers can use this list to prepare prompts and to help students monitor and reflect during the problem-solving...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Coach Talk: Debriefing in Problem Solving
Problem Solving > Reflect & Debrief > See How It Works
Listen to two mathematics coaches from the Papillion-LaVista School District share the concepts they emphasize when working with teachers, including the importance of comparing multiple approaches...
Resource Type
School Example
Monitoring Progress While Solving Problems
Problem Solving > Reflect & Debrief > See How It Works
Dr. Sybilla Beckmann demonstrates how to help students monitor their progress and reflect on their reasoning while solving a challenging problem.
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Connecting Visuals to Problem Types
Problem Solving > Problem-Solving Instruction > Overview & Tools
Math coaches and teachers can use this tool as a quick reference for examples of visual representations for different types of problems. See the sample material, Using Visual Representations for...
Resource Type
Tool
Observation Note-Taking: Reflections on Multiple Approaches to Problem Solving
Problem Solving > Problem-Solving Instruction > Overview & Tools
Teachers and mathematics coaches can use this tool to keep track of the approaches to problems used by different pairs and groups of students. The purpose of the tool is to provide a summary of the...
Resource Type
Tool
Walk-Throughs: Teaching Problem Solving
Problem Solving > Problem-Solving Instruction > Overview & Tools
Instructional leaders can use this tool to frame observational walk-throughs of elementary and middle school math classes. Related Media and Files: Improving Mathematical Problem Solving in...
Resource Type
Tool
Learning Together About Using Visuals That Support Problem Solving
Problem Solving > Problem-Solving Instruction > Overview & Tools
Math coaches can use this tool to help elementary and middle school teachers learn about the role of visual representations in problem solving through a series of professional development...
Resource Type
Tool
Problems: Connecting Mathematical Ideas to Notation
Problem Solving > Problem-Solving Instruction > See How It Works
In the media piece, Connecting Mathematical Ideas to Notation, Dr. Sybilla Beckmann presents two examples of problems showing how students can connect mathematical concepts and notation. This...
Resource Type
Sample Material
