Introduction

Welcome back to Math Chat! Today, we’re diving into a tough but important topic: Why are we so afraid to give kids hard math problems? If we’re being honest, it can feel uncomfortable to watch students struggle. We want them to feel successful, and sometimes it’s tempting to step in and help too soon. But when we rescue students from struggle, we rob them of the chance to build resilience and problem-solving skills.

In this episode, we’ll talk about why hard problems are essential for deep learning, what holds us back from giving students these challenges, and how we can create a classroom where students see struggle not as something to avoid but as part of the learning process. I’ll also share strategies you can use tomorrow to help your students grapple with tough problems while feeling supported. Let’s get started!

Why Do We Avoid Giving Hard Problems?

Let’s be real — giving kids hard math problems feels risky. Here are some common reasons why we avoid it:

  • Fear of Student Frustration: We don’t want kids to feel defeated or disengage from math.
  • Fear of Failure Ourselves: When students struggle, it can feel like we’re failing as teachers.
  • Pressure to Cover Content: It feels like there’s no time to slow down for deep thinking.
  • Perception That Fast Equals Smart: We’re conditioned to think that the fastest correct answer shows the best understanding.

But here’s the thing: Struggle is where the learning happens. When we make math too easy, students don’t get the chance to develop critical problem-solving skills.

Why Hard Problems Are Essential?

Research shows that productive struggle is key to learning. According to NCTM’s Principles to Actions, productive struggle deepens understanding by helping students grapple with concepts rather than memorizing procedures.

Hard problems play a crucial role in helping students develop a deeper understanding of mathematics. According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), engaging students in productive struggle — the process of grappling with challenging tasks — is essential for meaningful learning. In Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, NCTM identifies supporting productive struggle as one of the most effective teaching practices in math classrooms.

When students face hard problems that are within their reach but require effort and perseverance, they build resilience and problem-solving skills. Instead of relying on memorized procedures, students learn to make sense of problems, try different approaches, and reflect on their thinking. This not only improves their mathematical reasoning but also fosters a growth mindset, helping them view challenges as opportunities for growth.

NCTM emphasizes that when educators create opportunities for students to grapple with complex math tasks, they are encouraging critical thinking, persistence, and collaboration. These skills go beyond math class, preparing students to tackle real-world problems with confidence.

In short, hard problems aren’t just obstacles — they are essential tools for developing lifelong problem-solving skills and deeper mathematical understanding.

Benefits of challenging problems include:

  • Deeper Understanding: When students work through a hard problem, they build stronger connections.
  • Develops Resilience: Learning how to handle frustration builds confidence.
  • Fosters Creativity: Students find new ways to approach and solve problems.
  • Builds Independence: When students know they won’t be rescued right away, they learn to rely on their own thinking.

How to Support Students Through Hard Problems

In Word Problem Workshop, we don’t avoid hard problems — we embrace them. Why? Because hard problems give students the opportunity to grapple, reflect, and build essential problem-solving skills. The key is not to throw kids into the deep end but to support them through the struggle. With the right approach, we can shift the culture from focusing on getting the answer to valuing the process of thinking, trying, and revising.

Strategy 1: Normalize the Struggle

Quick Set-Up: Start by openly acknowledging that struggle is a natural part of learning.
Why It Works: When students know that grappling is expected — not a sign of failure — they feel safer taking risks.
Word Problem Workshop Connection:
 We model this in Grapple Time, where students work on rich, open-ended word problems without immediate teacher intervention. We remind them, “If it feels tricky, you’re on the right track.”
Example: Share stories of how mathematicians, inventors, or even past students faced setbacks before finding a solution.

Strategy 2: Ask Genuine, Open-Ended Questions

Quick Set-Up: Instead of rushing in with hints or steps, ask questions that get students thinking.
Why It Works: Questions that don’t have a single right answer encourage students to reason and explain their thinking.
Word Problem Workshop Connection:
 In our Facilitation Framework, teachers use open-ended prompts to keep students thinking. These questions shift the focus from the right answer to the process of making sense of the problem.
Example Prompts:

  • “What do you notice about this problem?”
  • “What strategy could you try next?”
  • “How does this compare to your first idea?”

Strategy 3: Give Students Time and Space to Grapple

Quick Set-Up: Create room for students to sit with the problem before stepping in.
Why It Works: When students know they won’t be rescued right away, they learn to persist.
Word Problem Workshop Connection:
 During Grapple Time, we intentionally step back and observe. It’s about resisting the urge to jump in too soon. We support students by giving them time to try, fail, and try again.
Example: Set a timer for 5–10 minutes where students work independently or with a partner before any whole-group discussion begins.

Strategy 4: Highlight and Celebrate Different Approaches

Quick Set-Up: After the grapple, showcase multiple student strategies.
Why It Works: When students see a variety of solutions, they learn that math is flexible — not about following one path.
Word Problem Workshop Connection:
 We make student thinking visible by displaying work or sharing multiple strategies during the Share. It reinforces the idea that each approach offers insight.
Example: Display two different strategies for the same problem and ask:

  • “Where do you see similarities in these strategies?”
  • “What did you notice about how this group broke down the problem?”

Strategy 5: Reflect on the Process, Not Just the Answer

Quick Set-Up: End with reflection questions that help students notice how they learned.
Why It Works: Reflecting on how they tackled a hard problem helps students build resilience and confidence for next time.
Word Problem Workshop Connection:
 Reflection is embedded in every phase. We ask students to think about what worked, what didn’t, and how they might approach the next problem differently.
Example Prompts:

  • “What strategy helped you make sense of this problem?”
  • “What was challenging, and how did you work through it?”
  • “What would you try differently next time?”

Supporting students through hard problems isn’t about making the math easier — it’s about making them stronger. In Word Problem Workshop, we create a classroom where grappling is expected, strategies are celebrated, and reflection is part of the learning process. Let’s help our students see hard problems not as something to fear but as opportunities to grow.

Conclusion

Let’s recap:

  • Hard problems are essential because they build resilience, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of math.
  • We avoid giving them because of fear—but small shifts can help us push past that.
  • Strategies like normalizing struggle, using open-ended questions, giving time and space, celebrating approaches, and reflecting on the process can help students embrace hard problems.

This Week:

  • Try giving your students a challenging problem and let them grapple with it. Use one of the strategies we discussed to support them. See how it changes the way they engage.