Welcome to Math Chat!!
I’m excited to be back with you after several month break. Today, Pi day, we’re serving up a slice of math joy by diving into how we can make problem-solving the most joyful part of our math classrooms.
If you’ve ever seen the spark in a student’s eyes when they really get the joy of solving a tough problem, you know what I mean when I say math can be joyful. It’s all about creating the right environment.
But before we dive in…
NEW episode structure. Part of this new season of Math Chat we’re switching things up and making things EVEN easier for you to listen and take action in your classroom. Each episode will be structured into three parts. The What, The Why, The How.
We will talk about our “WHAT” for the week– ya know the main topic, WHY it’s important- the research behind the practice or idea. The rationale. Then, HOW– in just a couple easy to implement action steps I’ll share how you can do this in your classroom. I’ll aim to make these something you can try within the week before the next episode. That way, when you come back next week for a new episode you’ll be ready for new ideas!
What: Make problem solving joyful
In this episode, we’re gonna dive into making PROBLEM SOLVING JOYFUL. Let’s talk about how we can move beyond the worksheets and create a math culture where problem solving is not only expected but enjoyed.
Too often in our classrooms the act of problem solving is painful. Usually, we leave it for the end of the math unit. Our curriculum instructs us to teach the “skills” then once students know the skills and have mastered them we let the students apply them in a problem solving situation. Is this your experience?
Problem solving in other parts of our day look very different. In my last years of teaching I taught the Amplify Science curriculum in 3rd grade and there is a force and motion unit that is ALL about problem solving. It poses a question or problem, gives kids a bunch of materials and asks them to figure out a solution. Students are joyfully tinkering with the rubber bands and bouncing balls. Have you done something like this? A true experience where students bring their ideas to the table and work together with their group to figure something out. The conversations are rich, they are learning to collaborate by compromising and listening to one another.
It’s a beautiful thing.
Contrast that with math class and I think we’re missing the mark, right?
I purpose we make math problem solving more like real world problem solving. You have a problem, some materials and some people to think and discuss with… now figure it out. That’s what we do in Word Problem Workshop, the 5 step student centered routine that gets students joyfully problem solving each day in math class.
Math joy isn’t about avoiding difficulty; it’s about framing struggle as part of the fun—finding joy in the process, not just the answer. So, pose a complex problem and let students struggle (or GRAPPLE as I call it in Step 2 of Word Problem Workshop).
Problem-solving is the heart of real math thinking—it’s where students get to apply their knowledge in creative, engaging ways.
WHY problem solving in math class?
When students have the chance to explore, discuss, and solve problems in their own ways, they experience the natural satisfaction of making sense of a challenge.
This creates an intrinsic motivation for students to keep trying.
Think about a time when you were trying to do something that you REALLY wanted to do, but it was hard and it took time. Once you finally accomplished the goal it felt satisfying, right?
Part of the joy of problem solving comes from the journey of figuring it out. Not the answer, but the problem solving pathway or journey as I like to call it. When we reframe math class as a place where we struggle and work together in math discussions to figure things out, it takes the pressure off and lets students truly work toward understanding instead of focusing on getting it all right.
In NCTM’s Principles to Actions the authors emphasize that “mathematical discourse” and “productive struggle” build student engagement and understanding. These are essential parts of Word Problem Workshop… and can be easily implemented into our classrooms.
How can we Create Joyful Problem-Solving in our classrooms?
Action Step 1: Cultivate Productive Struggle
- Quick set-up:
- Encourage students to approach challenges with the mindset that struggle is part of the learning process.
- Why it works:
- Builds resilience and persistence
- Example:
- Instead of rushing to the solution, allow students time to grapple with the problem, share their struggles, and work through their thinking together.
Action Step 2: Use Real-World Problems
- Quick set-up:
- Bring in problems that are relatable to students’ everyday lives, and tie math to something they care about.
- Why it works:
- Engages students by connecting math to real-world experiences
- Example:
- For example, create problems based on shopping, planning a party, or organizing an event—students will love the connection to their own world.
Action Step 3: Promote Mathematical Discussions
Incorporate a whole group discussion that centers on students’ approaches. You can also use ‘turn and talk’ or ‘think-pair-share’ activities to get all students involved in sharing their math thinking.
- Quick set-up:
- Foster discussions where students share their strategies and learn from each other’s thinking.
- Why it works:
- Encourages collaboration and builds understanding through communication
- Example:
- Incorporate a whole group discussion that centers on students’ approaches. You can also use ‘turn and talk’ or ‘think-pair-share’ activities to get all students involved in sharing their math thinking.
Wrap up
Today we’ve talked about how problem-solving can be a source of joy in your math classroom. By embracing productive struggle, using real-world problems, and fostering mathematical discourse, you can create an environment where students not only solve problems but enjoy doing so.
Links mentioned in this episode:
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🤩 Math Word Problem Workshop
Save time and energy by planning a simple daily routine that increases student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!
When you join the Math Word Problem Workshop, I’ll show you how to…
- engage every student in problem solving, daily.
- create a daily structure that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
- a system to plan for problem solving, simply and efficiently.
- confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop
Join today by clicking HERE!
Have Questions? 📱 My DMs on IG are always open @hellomonamath