First, gather your entries from Journals 1-4 and reread them, editing your original comments as desired. Highlight the questions that were most provocative or productive for you in thinking about problem solving. Would you like to add to what you have written? If so, go for it.

Here are some questions for your final journal.

• We have now studied the Communication and Problem-Solving Process Standards. How are these Standards connected? Why is communication an important element of effective problem solving?
• Small changes can make big differences. What one change in your classroom could you make to improve your students' problem-solving skills? Could you make that change the next time you walk into your classroom –– say, tomorrow? Why or why not?
• Imagine that a video team was to arrive tomorrow to film your class as a study of problem solving in action. What would the video show? What would you be proud of? What might you want to change?
• In terms of problem solving, as a teacher, where would you like to be as a teacher with respect to problem solving in a year? How might you get there? How will you know when you're there?

• Use pen and paper.
• Use a word processor.
• Use the form below.

Your work will be displayed in a printer-friendly format to enable you to print.

Thanks for writing in your journal. Please add this entry to Journals 1-4. You will find them useful for reference later.

  In the next session, we will address the Reasoning and Proof Standard.