Problem-Solving Strategy Discussions

Are small-group, one-to-one, or whole-group discourse conversations, centered around math problems and puzzles, that are focused on strategies to produce a solution.

As students engage in Small Group Problem Solving, the teacher's role as facilitator is crucial. Facilitating the Problem-Solving Process allows for students and teachers to co-led the learning.

Small Group Problem Solving

This approach fosters student agency and accountability, as they gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Facilitation is driven by questions, not answers.

Discussion focus:

• Strategy sharing and exploration.
• Visual to symbolic connections (including word problems).
• Connections between and among concepts.
• Vocabulary connections.

Small Group Problem Solving

Engagement Strategies to Promote Discourse

Sometimes, facilitation of student discourse can be difficult. If students are having trouble with sharing ideas, facilitators can use one or more of the "Engagement Strategies to Promote Discourse" to encourage productive student agency and mathematical understanding.

In ST Math Camp: Adventure there are multiple opportunities to have Problem-Solving Strategy Discussions.

• Small Group Problem-Solving
• Table Games
• ST Math 1:1 Gameplay

Small Group Problem-Solving Activities

Problem-solving activities provide a wonderful opportunity to facilitate classroom discussions on student work. Prior to problem-solving time, be sure to review the problem. It is important to plan your goals and outcomes for the discussion prior to posing the problem to students.

Small Group Problem-Solving Activities - Teacher Guidance

Planing for the discussion.

Before students begin working on the problem-solving activity, anticipate their responses and think about the mathematics you want to highlight.

Small Group Problem-Solving Activities - Teacher Guidance

Monitoring during Problem Solving

Small Group Problem-Solving Activities - Teacher Guidance

Promoting Classroom Discussion Using Student Work

Order the work you selected to share from least sophisticated to most sophisticated. Include some work that has misconceptions and/or errors in reasoning.

Ask students questions that engage them in discussions of both correct and incorrect reasoning. It is important for the teacher to remain in the role of facilitator and ask students questions to help them construct knowledge.

Small Group Problem-Solving Activities - Student Work

When discussing these problems with students remember:

• Begin by having students read and think about the problem.

• Then discuss the problems with students.

• Give students time to solve the problems.

• Have students share their strategies and solutions and discuss them.

• If strategies being shared did not result in a model or equation consider asking students to try using those in solving the problem.

Small Group Problem-Solving Activities - Student Work

Landon has 5 cars.

Amelia has 3 cars.

Alexi has 7 cars.

Each friend wants to have the same number of cars.

How many cars each friend should have?

Landon has 5 cars.

Amelia has 3 cars.

Alexi has 7 cars.

Each friend wants to have the same number of cars.

How many cars each friend should have?

Small Group Problem-Solving Activities - Student Work

Landon has 5 cars.

Amelia has 3 cars.

Alexi has 7 cars.

Each friend wants to have the same number of cars.

How many cars each friend should have?

Small Group Problem-Solving Activities - Student Work

• Facilitators should always ask students to explain their strategy and explain what pictures and numbers represent in the problem.
• If students don't get a correct answer Facilitators could ask students questions like, "What does this number (a specific number in the problem)  represent in the problem? What is this problem asking? How do you know?" 

Student Work Summary

Small Group Problem-Solving Activities - Student Work

Focus: supporting the development and practice of specific math topics providing multiple opportunities to engage students in Problem-Solving Strategy Discussions.

Table Games

In playing these games, students:

• explore math concepts
• engage in strategic thinking
• apply their knowledge
• challenge each other
• have fun with mathematics

Table Games

All of the games can easily be replicated by the students for play at home.

The game supplies that you need are listed in the Table Games Materials section of the module for each week.

Table Games

There is time built into Session 1 of each week for you to teach your students how to play the games.

Table Games

ST Math 1:1 Gameplay

Students play ST Math individually while the teacher monitors. Look for struggling students, tricky puzzles, and opportunities to make connections. Select a student to do a think-aloud.

Instructional Strategies - ST Math 1:1 Gameplay

Think-Aloud - Encourage students to verbalize what they think as they play through the puzzle. Students can use the language of the Problem Solving Process, I see, I think, I try, I learn, I know, to share aloud how they are working through the puzzle.

The End 

Some things to remember:

• Ask students questions that engage them in discussions of both correct and incorrect reasoning.
• plan your goals and outcomes for the discussion prior to posing the problem to students.