PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES IN GRADES K - 2 Erie 1 BOCESMay 20, 2013 Facilitators: Andrea Tamarazio & Steve Graser

NY State Curriculum Updates  K – 5 Module 1 is currently available  6 – 12 Overview of Module 1 is currently available  Curriculum Maps for Grades 6 – 12 are available  Changes have been made to the K – 5 Curriculum Map  Grade 2  Module Titles Link to K – 5 Materials Link to 6 – 12 Materials

K – 5 Modules  Modules released during May NTI  Kindergarten Module 1  Grade 1 Module 1  Grade 2 Modules 1 & 2  Grade 3 Module 1  Grade 4 Module 1  Grade 5 Module 1  Other Modules also available  Kindergarten Module 5  Grade 2 Module 3  Grade 3 Module 5  Grade 5 Module 3

Recommended Instructional Minutes  Elementary  60 minutes Fluency Application Problems (RDW) Concept Development (includes Problem Set) Math Models Student Debrief  MS / HS  45 minutes Fluency Application Problems (RDW) Concept Development Math Models Student Debrief

Primary Resource  Districts have choices regarding the modules  Adopt  Adapt  Delete (Ignore)  If adapting or ignoring, it is highly recommended to implement a Balanced Math Program that will include the following:  Daily Fluency  Problem Solving  Student Reflection

Lessons within a Unit Activity  Using your grade level knowledge, create a scope and sequence of lesson titles (6 – 10) for facilitation of instruction on addition.  Title of the Unit is Addition  Modify by grade level for hierarchy

Lessons within a Unit  Title: Units of Measure  Lesson 1: Converting Customary Units of Length  Lesson 2: Converting Customary Units of Capacity  Lesson 3: Converting Customary Units of Weight  Lesson 4: Converting Metric Units of Length  Lesson 5: Converting Metric Units of Capacity  Lesson 6: Converting Metric Units of Weight  Lesson 7: Problem Solving: Multi-Step Problems

What is Problem Solving?  Solving problems is not only a goal of learning mathematics but also a major means of doing so… Problem solving is an integral part of all mathematics learning, and so it should not be an isolated part of mathematics program. Problem solving in mathematics should involve all the five content areas described in these standards … Good problems will integrate multiple topics and will involve significant mathematics. -NCTM, Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. (2000), p.52

Math SHIFTS

Mathematical Practices  Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them  Reason abstractly and quantitatively  Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others  Model with mathematics  Use appropriate tools strategically  Attend to precision  Look for and make use of structure  Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

Questions….  How are you providing an opportunity for your students to apply and explain the mathematical practices?  How are you including writing in your math program?

Writing for Problem Solving in Math Class “When students write, their papers provide a window into their understandings, their misconceptions, and their feelings about the content.” M. Burns, “Writing in Math,” Education Leadership, 62(2) (October 2004), p.30

Rationale  Organize and consolidate their mathematical thinking through communication  Communicate mathematical thinking coherently and clearly to others  Analyze and evaluate mathematical thinking and strategies of others  Use the language of mathematics to express mathematical ideas precisely. NCTM, Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. (2000)

Writing for Understanding Activity Freddie has $250 in ten dollar bills. How many ten dollar bills does Freddie have? He gave 6 ten dollar bills to his brother. How many ten dollar bills does he have left? Summarize sentence one in 15words or less. Then summarize sentence one and two in 15 words or less. Summarize sentences one, two, and three in 15 words or less. Summarize all of the sentences in 15 words or less.

Selecting the Problem Solving Task  Does this problem promote application of the mathematical ideas presented in the current instructional focus or unit of study?  Does this problem match students’ current instructional level?  Is this problem accessible to all students?  Is the problem relevant and engaging to students?  Does this problem require students to “stretch” their mathematical reasoning abilities?

Selecting the Problem Solving Task (cont)  Does this problem involve more than one strand or standard of mathematics?  Is there more than one way to solve the problem?  Could the problem be extended or enriched?  Do I fully understand the mathematics in this problem, so that I can better facilitate student understanding?

Goal for Problem Solving at the Primary Grade Levels  Ultimate goal for primary grade students is for them to be able - by the end of the school year – to solve a multistep problem and to communicate verbally and in writing the process they used.

Scaffolds to Meet Goal  Model the process for the whole class until familiar  Student solve the selected problems in cooperative groups or selected teams  Partner students to solve a given problem together  We expect students to be able to complete the entire process independently

Whole Class Instruction  Teacher and students read the problem together. The teacher makes sure the student understands what the problem is asking  Students work 5 to 10 minutes to solve the problem individually, with manipulatives (recording work on paper)  Students share possible strategies for solving the problem  Teacher and students decide on a solution(s) to the problem

Whole Class Instruction (cont)  Teacher creates a class Data Sheet  Students copy the Data Sheet  Teacher and students compose a few sentences to describe how the problem was solved  Teacher records the sentences on chart paper to be posted in the classroom  Students copy the class-written explanation

Cooperative Teams  Teacher arranges the students into small cooperative groups  Guided by teachers, students attempt to solve a new problem  Using words, pictures, and/or numbers, the students complete the Data Sheet  The students then complete then work onto Chart Paper  Students share out to the rest of the class

Benefits of Cooperative Teams  Different teams will describe their process differently and thus add to everyone’s understanding of the problem  Examples around the room will provide references for the next solving activity  Math team posters are updated regularly which keeps student interest in the problem solving process

Problem Solving Task Write Up Guide SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING TASK The total bill for Cassie and Brooke’s dinner was $ They want to leave a 15% tip. How should they determine how much tip to leave? What is the total amount that Cassie and Brooke spent for dinner? Explain your answer.

Problem Solving Task Write Up Guide Directions  Write your name on a piece of paper  Solve the problem using words, pictures, and / or numbers  Number each step as you work to solve the problem  Write a number sentence to match your problem  Write your answer in a sentence under your solution  Now write a short paragraph that explains, step by step, how you solved the problem  Use math vocabulary  Use this write-up guide to help you write your paragraph

Assessing Student’s Problem Solving  How are you currently assessing student problem solving in your classroom?  Strengths  Challenges

Elements to Consider…  What particular elements do you want to see the students include in their problem solving?

Issues to Think About …  Correct Answer  Wrong Answer, Right Process  Calculation Errors  Math Vocabulary  Strategies used to solve  Spelling and Conventions  Fluency of Explanations

Guidelines for Rubrics  Performance levels – how many?  Publish and distribute to students prior to them beginning the problem solving process

Problem Solving Rubric Activity Problem: Mario has a wall in his room that measures 13 feet long and 8 ½ feet high and is freshly painted. He wants to hang his favorite posters on the wall. Each poster measures 3 feet long and 2 feet high. What is the greatest number of posters that he can hang on the wall so that the posters do not overlap?

Problem Solving Rubric Activity (cont)  Create a rubric or guidelines for scoring  Include levels and criteria for each level (first draft)

Problem Solving Rubric Activity (cont)  Hints for Primary Grades  3 or 4 levels Exemplary Proficient Progressing Beginning  Self Evaluation  Teacher Evaluation

Let’s Create  Find or create a word problem that meets the criteria discussed  Create an appropriate data sheet and write up sheet for the problem  Create an appropriate rubric, include levels and criteria for each level

Questions or Concerns  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. Andrea Tamarazio Steve Graser