Four Strategies for Helping Students Develop a Better Understanding of Math

Solving math problems is the core to understanding math concepts. This is why it is critical for student to develop math problem solving skills. The only way a student will be successful in math is through problem solving practice. This is not to be confused with worksheets; these are real world math problems which allow students to make a personal connection. Worksheets are viewed by most students as busy work and worksheets are hated with a passion.

For a student to develop problem solving skills related to specific math concepts, the problem must be something that he or she can visualize and make a personal connection. There are many ways to accomplish this, so here are a  four strategies to help them succeed.

Math Problem Solving Stratiges

The first strategy is to begin each math class with a word problem related to the concept that was taught in the previous math class. The key with these math problems are that they must not be abstract – teachers think in abstract, students do not. The examples used in the problem must be something appropriate to the grade level and cultural environment of the school setting.

Rural farming communities should use examples that a farm related. Suburban schools should use something related to the community and the students’ lives. Urban schools need to use examples that are related to students’ environment. This makes it more personal and meaningful to stimulate internalization of the math concept, along with how to problem solve.

The second strategy is to have students develop their own problems; caution should be used to ensure that word problems are appropriate and are concept focused. The teacher can then post the questions on the board for other students to answer. Every student in a class should be given the opportunity to develop a problem.

A third strategy is a problem solving exercise is a hands-on situation where students are required to manipulate materials to solve the problem. For example, present a problem in which students need to determine how many marbles will fit inside a jar. In this situation students are provided with marbles so they can measure the average volume of similar marbles. Then they determine the available volume in the jar. Next they are given a smaller container to determine volume and how many marbles fit in the smaller container. From this they extrapolate a reasonable estimate of the number of marbles that will fit in the jar.

A fourth problem solving exercise involves several math concepts for actively engaged in real world math. Students learn more from this problem solving exercise than they every will from doing ten worksheets on the same math concepts. The connection to hands-on, minds-on critical math problem skills are the foundation of teaching and learning math. Without having visual and manipulative materials to solve this problem few students would be successful.

Does the requirement to solve a problem a day make the bad grades go away, the answer is a resounding yes. Students develop a better understanding of the math concepts as they apply critical thinking and problem solving skills for making connections in math.