Math Problem Solving in Action Getting Students to Love Word Problems, Grades K-2

In this new book from popular math consultant and bestselling author Dr. Nicki Newton, you?ll learn how to help students in grades K?2 become more effective and confident problem solvers. Problem solving is a necessary skill for the 21st century but can be overwhelming for both teachers and students alike. Dr. Nicki shows how to make word problems more engaging and fun, starting in the early elementary grades so that students have a strong foundation to build upon.

Topics include:

• Using games, songs, and poems to make complex mathematical concepts more accessible;
• Showing students how to reason about, model, and discuss word problems;
• Implementing problem-solving workshops and workstations to maximize practice time and encourage collaboration;
• Teaching students to recognize and apply elementary mathematical concepts?including addition, subtraction, part-whole relationships, etc.?in real-life situations;
• Incorporating different types of assessment to measure student progress and help them get to the next level.

Each chapter offers examples, charts, and tools that you can use immediately. The book also features a set of action plans so you can move forward with confidence and implement the book?s ideas in your own classroom.

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Part I: Introduction

Chapter 1: Playdoh®, Puppets and Other Real Life Stuff

Chapter 2: Problem Solving in the Math Workshop

Chapter 3: The Basic Framework

Part II: A Deeper Dive

Chapter 4: Add to Problems

Chapter 5: Take From Problems

Chapter 6: Part-Part Whole Problems

Chapter 7: Compare Problems

Chapter 8: Two-Step and Multi-Step Problems

Chapter 9: Problems Across Math Topics

Part III: Other Word Problems

Chapter 10: Reasoning

Chapter 11: Springboards into Great Word Problems Premises: Math Mentor Texts, Poems, Songs, Believe It or Not Stories, Shared Experiences & Games

Chapter 12: Action Plan

Dr. Nicki Newton hasbeen an educator for 28 years, working both nationally and internationally, with students of all ages. She has worked on developing Math Workshop and Guided Math Institutes around the country. She is also an avid blogger (www.guidedmath.wordpress.com), tweeter (@drnickimath), and Pinterest pinner (www.pinterest.com/drnicki7).