No Series: Problem Solving Tools

Problem Solving Tools

Lesson Objective: Gain strategies for solving math problems

Grades 9-12 / Math / Strategies

2 MIN

Discussion
Supporting Materials

Thought starters

What strategies does Ms. Mickle teach her students to use?
Why is it helpful to teach students to use a variety of problem solving tools?
How does using problem solving tools help students explain their reasoning?

7 Comments

Karen McElhenny Dec 27, 2016 6:03pm

Thank you for your positive approach to teaching math. I always tell my students math is easy as long as you practice the skill you just learned. It is like a game or sport or talent; you get better the more you practice and review. It is a challenge to put given information together to solve like putting clues together to solve a mystery! I really like the "tool bar" you displayed. Bravo!

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Suzette Evans Feb 23, 2016 6:47am

I would love to speak with Ms. Mickle. Could you possible email at sevans@brenhamk-12.net

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Kimberly Robertson Oct 30, 2013 4:26pm

Excellent!!

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Dale Teague Oct 26, 2013 9:49pm

good job! " anybody can play the game"

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chaya gelbfish Oct 22, 2013 8:28pm

thank you! I can't wait to use your tips with my science regents classes. They are perfect for problem solving in any subject.

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Materials

Problem Solving Tools Transcript

Transcripts

Problem Solving Tools Transcript
Card: Strategies: Problem Solving Tools.
TeRaze Mickle: This is your elementary algebra portion of

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Problem Solving Tools Transcript
Card: Strategies: Problem Solving Tools.
TeRaze Mickle: This is your elementary algebra portion of your test. You must be able to do this.

Lower Third: TeRaze Mickle
9th-10 Grade Geometry
Cedar Hill Collegiate High School, Cedar Hill, Texas

+++ 00:00:09 +++
TeRaze Mickle: Math is not as hard as hard as people think it is. It's not. To me, it's like a game with a bunch of clues, okay? And use the clues to solve the problem.
TeRaze Mickle: And he knows the exponent property that says anything to the zero power is one. Very good.
TeRaze Mickle: One of the problems for solving strategies is, for instance, look at the answer to it, especially if they're words.
Student: The plan was to write a counter example for the statement that Sarah wrote for the conjecture.

+++ 00:00:42 +++
TeRaze Mickle: Go to the answer choices. Read the answer choices and the answer choices have to give you a clue of what the question is.
Student: We had to rewrite the question in our own words, so the question is basically asking, which answer choice explains if the conjecture is true or not?
TeRaze Mickle: Basically, you're going to use all these tools. If you're solving a problem, you're going to either use properties, you're going to use a definition, you're going to use conjectures and theorems. Process of elimination and just pure logic.

+++ 00:01:11 +++
TeRaze Mickle: And this, she makes this substitution. This is just beautifully worked, 6x - 5. She substitutes the expressions that were given. Beautiful. Okay, how can you not get excited about this? Okay.
TeRaze Mickle: Every problem can be solved by using those tools right there. You know the rules of the game, anybody can play.
TeRaze Mickle: Good job. Give it up for Derek.

TeRaze Mickle: Good job.

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