In order for teachers to increase their effectiveness, it's helpful to explore how problem solving relates to developing a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Our own elementary school experience with problem solving may have been limited to solving "story problems" at the end of a set of practice exercises. Problem solving in today's mathematics class involves much more.

In this section, we will take a look at your, rather than your students', approach to a problem. As you solve this problem, think about the strategies you use and the steps you follow. Analyzing your own problem solving, allows you to experience firsthand the importance of reflection in the problem-solving process. The more experience you have in solving problems and reflecting on your own approach to the problems, the more effective you will become in developing the Problem-Solving Process Standard as the foundation of mathematics instruction and learning in your classroom.

  Try this Interactive Activity