Prepare Problems
Recommended Practice: Plan for problem solving by preparing problems to use in whole-class instruction.
- Overview & Tools: Video overviews and professional development materials
- Learn What Works: Expert interviews about preparing problems
- See How It Works: Videos and sample materials from schools
Preparing Problems for Classroom Instruction
Problem Solving > Prepare Problems > Overview & Tools
Watch this multimedia overview to learn what a teacher should keep in mind when selecting problems, including suggestions for how to adapt problems to ensure that students can focus on mathematical...
Resource Type
Overview
Designing Worthwhile Problems
Problem Solving > Prepare Problems > Learn What Works
The two practitioners on the IES Panel discuss how to plan for problem solving in today's diverse classrooms. Philip Ogbuehi is Mathematics Specialist for the Los Angeles Unified School District,...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Lesson Pre-Conference
Problem Solving > Prepare Problems > See How It Works
Listen in as a mathematics coach works with a teacher to plan problems for students who are struggling with subtraction problems. The coach helps the teacher unpack students’ issues, and then she...
Resource Type
School Example
Coach Talk: Preparing for Problem Solving
Problem Solving > Prepare Problems > See How It Works
Listen in as two mathematics coaches discuss being strategic in the selection of problems and planning for classroom discussions including use of the Pre-Conference Planning Form. Related...
Resource Type
School Example
Questions and Prompts for Developing Mathematical Thinking
Problem Solving > Prepare Problems > See How It Works
This sample material is a copy of the classroom poster from Coach Talk: Preparing for Problem Solving that teachers use as guidance for the problem-solving process. It was developed by the...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Resources for Planning Problems
Problem Solving > Prepare Problems > See How It Works
This sample material contains publications from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and other sources. There are links to 12 websites that have collections of problems and...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Pre-Conference Planning Form
Problem Solving > Prepare Problems > See How It Works
Elementary math coaches in the Papillion-La Vista School District use a lesson pre-conference planning form with teachers. Coaches work with teachers to consider goals and students’ experience and...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Coaching Checklist for Problem Planning
Problem Solving > Prepare Problems > Overview & Tools
Instructional leaders and mathematics coaches can use this self-assessment to reflect on their practices in supporting teachers to plan lessons and to guide students in learning to be competent...
Resource Type
Tool
Learning Together About Preparing Problems
Problem Solving > Prepare Problems > Overview & Tools
Instructional leaders can use this workshop plan to help elementary and middle-grades teachers learn about the importance of preparing problems for use in whole-class instruction. Included is a...
Resource Type
Tool
Planning and Adapting Problems
Problem Solving > Prepare Problems > Overview & Tools
Instructional leaders and teachers can use this planning worksheet to guide adaptation of problems to ensure that students understand a problem. The goal is to develop problems that allow students...
Resource Type
Tool
