Choose the Operation - When you
use this strategy it usually means that you have
a one step problem to solve and all you need to do
is to choose which operation is needed to solve the
problem.
Guess and Check - Guessing and checking
is helpful when a problem presents large numbers
or many pieces of data, or when the problem asks
students to find one solution but not all possible
solutions to a problem. When students use this strategy,
they guess the answer, test to see if it is correct
and if it is incorrect they make another guess using
what they learned from the first guess. In this way,
they gradually come closer and closer to a solution
by making increasingly more reasonable guesses. Students
can also use this strategy to get started, and may
then find another strategy which can be used.
Draw a Picture - For some students,
it may be helpful to use an available picture or
make a picture or diagram when trying to solve a
problem. The representation need not be well drawn.
It is most important that they help students understand
and manipulate the data in the problem.
Act it Out or Use Objects - Some students
may find it helpful to act out a problem or to move
objects around while they are trying to solve a problem.
This allows them to develop visual images of both
the data in the problem and the solution process.
By taking an active role in finding the solution,
students are more likely to remember the process
they used and be able to use it again for solving
similar problems.
Make and Use an Organized List, Table, Chart
or Graph - Making an organized list,
table, chart or graph helps students organize
their thinking about a problem. Recording work
in an organized manner makes it easy to review
what has been done. Students keep track of data,
spot missing data, and identify important steps
that must yet be completed. It provides a systematic
way of recording computations. Patterns often
become obvious when data is organized. This strategy
is often used in conjunction with other strategies.
Look for a Pattern - A pattern is
a regular, systematic repetition. A pattern may be
numerical, visual, or behavioral. By identifying
the pattern, students can predict what will "come
next" and what will happen again and again in the
same way. Sometimes students can solve a problem
by recognizing a pattern, but often they will have
to extend a pattern to find a solution. Making a
number table often reveals patterns, and for this
reason is frequently used in conjunction with looking
for patterns.
Use Logical Reasoning - Logical reasoning
is really used for all problem solving. However,
there are types of problems that include or imply
various conditional statements such as, "if.. then," or "if..
Then else," or "if something is not true, then...” The
data given in the problems can often be displayed
in a chart or matrix. This kind of problem requires
formal logical reasoning as a student works his or
her way through the statements given in the problem.
Work Backward - To solve certain problems,
students must make a series of computations, starting
with data presented at the end of the problem and
ending with data presented at the beginning of the
problem.
Solve a Simpler or a Similar Problem -
Making a problem simpler may mean reducing large
numbers to small numbers, or reducing the number
of items given in a problem. The simpler representation
of the problem may suggest what operation or process
can be used to solve the more complex problem. |
