Polk Elementary School

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Polk School
435 Buckingham St
Oakville, CT 06779

Welcome to

Mrs. Gowlis' Webpage

I am often asked by parents what they can do at home to help their children understand and be successful with mathematics. I hope this webpage is of help to parents.

The overall goal of mathematics at the elementary level is to help children solve problems. Teaching children a systematic approach to problem solving has proven to be very beneficial. It takes time and much repetition for children to learn the seven steps to problem solving. Please go through the steps one at a time with your child when trying to solve word problems. Soon these steps will become automatic and your child will be more successful and feel more confident when solving problems.

Remember, "You Can Too!" MATH CAN BE FUN!!!

The Seven Steps to Problem Solving

1. Read the Problem

2. Find the important information

3. Analyze

4. Select the strategy

5. Find a solution

6. Check your solution for accuracy

7. If your answer isn't logical, begin again

Selecting a Strategy

Act out or use objects
Make a picture or diagram
Use or make a table
Make an organized list
Guess and check
Use or look for a pattern
Work backwards
Use logical reasoning
Make it simpler
Brainstorm

Here are some ideas to help your child if he or she is having difficulty solving a problem.

Getting Unstuck

Sometimes when solving problems, you can become stuck. When you are not sure what to do next, think about trying one of the following ideas:

* Jot Down Ideas

Jot down a plan for how you will be solving the problem. You might list the important information or draw a diagram of the problem to get you started.

*Restate the Problems in Your Own Words

Are you unsure how to begin? Reread the problem and then state it in your own words. You need to understand the problem before you can go any further.

*Cross Off Unnecessary Information

Is the problem confusing, containing too much data? Reread the problem and cross out the unnecessary data to simplify the problem.

*Substitute with Simpler Numbers

Does the problem contain large numbers or fractions or decimals that are confusing you? Substitute the confusing numbers with simpler numbers and then figure out how to solve the problem. Once you know how the problem should be solved, just plug the more complicated numbers back into the problem and repeat the process to solve it.

*Take a Break

Are you too frustrated to go on? Take a break for a few minutes. Think about or do something else. Then, return to the problem refreshed and ready to begin again.

*Use a Manipulative

Use everyday objects (paper clips, toothpicks, pennies) to represent the items in the problem. Act out the problem with the manipulatives.

*Talk About the Problem

Talk out loud to yourself or someone else. Explain the problem and what you think you should do. Listen to yourself as you talk to see if it makes sense.

*Think of a Similar Problem

Does this problem remind you of another that you've solved? How did you solve that one? Try that strategy. Does it work here?

*Try a Different Strategy

What you're doing doesn't seem to be working. Try something else. Is there a different strategy that you think might work? Try it and see.

*Give Yourself a Pep Talk

Think of a problem you solved by sticking with it. Remember a time when you were frustrated, but kept on trying until you found the answer. Remind yourself that you can do it!

Adapted from Introduction to Problem Solving by Susan O'Connell. Heinemann, 2000.

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