Planning for WPW: A Step-by-Step Guide to Transforming Your Math Lessons
In this Math Chat episode, we explore how to plan math lessons that engage students in deeper thinking and problem-solving. Instead of focusing on what students will do, we shift to how they’ll solve math problems. Ready to transform your lesson planning? Keep reading!
Shift Your Focus: Plan for How, Not What
Transform Your Math Planning
Traditionally, math planning focuses on activities, practice problems, and worksheets. But what if you shifted your focus to how students will solve problems? By planning for the process—how they think, reason, and solve—you can better support their learning and understanding. This shift will empower students to make connections and think critically. Ready for a change in your planning? This episode is for you!
Step 1: Choose a Learning Goal
Foundation for Understanding
Start with a clear learning goal. It could come from your curriculum, a standard, or a key math practice. But instead of focusing on a task like “Add 3-digit numbers,” focus on understanding, like “Use place value strategies to add 3-digit numbers efficiently.” This sets the stage for deeper, meaningful learning.
Step 2: Choose a Problem
Make It Worth Talking About
Next, pick a problem that matches your learning goal. The problem doesn’t need to be complex—use one from your curriculum, or even create one from a classroom observation. What matters is that the problem is “worth talking about” and allows for rich, meaningful discussion. The challenge here is to choose a problem that will engage students and spark exploration.
Step 3: Forecasting – Predict How Students Will Solve It
Plan Ahead to Support Learning
Now it’s time for forecasting. Think of it like a weather prediction: you’re anticipating how students will solve the problem. Solve it in multiple ways to prepare for various student approaches. This helps you anticipate common mistakes and misconceptions, so you can guide students toward effective strategies.
Step 4: Look for Connections & Anticipate Struggles
Support Students as They Solve
Once you’ve forecasted how students might solve the problem, the next step is to find connections between their strategies. How can you highlight these connections during the lesson? Also, think about where students might struggle and how you can support them at those moments. By planning ahead, you can keep the lesson flowing and ensure all students succeed.
Step 5: Prep Materials
Get Ready for the Lesson
With your plan in place, now it’s time to prep. Make copies, gather visuals, and get any materials students will need. With the hard work of planning behind you, preparing materials will be quick and easy.
Streamline Your Planning: It’s Only Five Steps
Keep It Simple and Effective
You don’t need to overcomplicate your planning. WPW can be done in just five steps. By focusing on how students solve problems, you can plan an entire week of lessons in one prep session. This gives you more time to engage with students and make their learning experience even more effective.
Don’t Miss Out: Preorder Bonuses!
Claim Your WPW Book Bonuses
Ready to take your teaching to the next level? Preorder the Word Problem Workshop book now to get exclusive bonuses, including forecasting guides and math surveys. Head to monamath.com/book and claim your bonuses before October 24th!
Get Ready for Launch Week!
Join the WPW Launch Party
Launch week for the Word Problem Workshop book is almost here! Tune in for a special podcast book launch party, where we’ll dive deeper into implementing WPW in your classroom. Get your copy, and get ready to transform your math instruction!
Ready to Plan Your Next Math Lesson?
Listen, Subscribe, and Leave a Review
If you’re excited to start using WPW in your classroom, don’t miss this episode. Listen now, subscribe for more episodes, and leave a review! Plus, grab your copy of the Word Problem Workshop book and access tons of free downloads and resources to make your planning even easier.