Math Problem of the Week

“Math Problem of the Week”

We have been working a lot on problem solving in math class. Problem solving is a skill that is developmental for children. It takes children a lot of practice to feel confident with different problem solving strategies. Therefore, the more practice your child gets with different problem solving tasks the more they will develop as a problem solver.

Beginning this week, your child will be getting a “problem of the week” sheet to complete at home each week. Problem of the week sheets will go home on Monday and they will be due back on Friday. Please feel free to assist your child, but please do not provide them with the answer. I need to see where they are making their mistakes so that I know how to help them at school. If we simply provide children with the answers, they do not have to work through the different steps that are required to solve a problem solving question. It is my goal that with these “problem of the week” sheets that your child will gain confidence using different types of problem solving strategies.

There is not one specific way to solve a problem. There are many different approaches that your child can take to solve these problems. Please encourage them to use different strategies. Allow your child to use whatever tools they need to problem solve. Please make sure that when providing assistance to your child that you are not giving them the answer. It is important for me to see where your child is making mistakes and having difficulties.

Tips for problem solving:
Have your child identify the important information from the problem (we underline all the important information when we are working on problems in class).
* What does the problem ask?
* What words will help you solve the problem (in all, left, how many more)?
* What facts will help you answer the question?

· Have your child draw a picture that represents the problem.
· Have your child write a number sentence that shows what the problem is asking.
· Use the guess and check method.
· Use manipulatives (items that can be moved around…e.g. Pennies)