Student-centered Learning
How can teachers guide our students to discover their own problem solving strategies?
As in our teaching of mathematical concepts and skills, students need time to explore and discover their own ways. The same is true for problem solving. As stated in the Guide to Effective Instruction: Problem Solving, students, “learn about new strategies by hearing and seeing the strategies developed by their peers, and by discussing the merits of those strategies.”
Planning is Essential!
According to Van de Walle (Teaching Student-Centered Mathematics Grades K-3), our students will achieve success by teaching through problem-solving if we as teachers:
As in our teaching of mathematical concepts and skills, students need time to explore and discover their own ways. The same is true for problem solving. As stated in the Guide to Effective Instruction: Problem Solving, students, “learn about new strategies by hearing and seeing the strategies developed by their peers, and by discussing the merits of those strategies.”
Planning is Essential!
According to Van de Walle (Teaching Student-Centered Mathematics Grades K-3), our students will achieve success by teaching through problem-solving if we as teachers:
- Begin with the Math – Articulate the Learning Goals with your students prior to beginning the lesson.
- Think About Your Students – What prior knowledge do your students have? What gaps could need filling?
- Decide on a Task – Keep it simple, clear and concise.
- Predict what will happen – Teachers need to solve the question and consider the multiple strategies that will be used to solve the problem.
- Articulate Student Responsibilities – What do you want besides the final answer? Should students be able to explain why their answer is reasonable or what they did to solve the question?
- Plan the Minds On (before portion of the lesson), Active Learning (during portion of the lesson) and the Reflection (after portion of the lesson.