Problem Solving Course Outline
I. Title: Problem Solving
II. Subject Area: Mathematics
III. Topics to be covered:
| A. | Problem Solving Strategies |
| 1. Drawing a Diagram | |
| a) Geometric principles of perimeter and area | |
| 1-The Pool Deck- p.16 | |
| 2- Floor Tiles- p. 21 | |
| 3- Carissa's Table- p.49 (Teacher Resource Manual) | |
| 4- Classroom Ceiling-p.50 (Teacher Resource Manual) | |
| b) Arithmetic Progressions- A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin'On- p.22 | |
| c) Order of Operations- POW #2 | |
| d) Exponents- POW #2 | |
| 2. Systematic Lists | |
| 3. Eliminate Possibilities | |
| 4. Matrix Logic | |
| 5. Look for a Pattern | |
| 6. Guess and Check | |
| 7. Physical Representations | |
| a) Act it Out | |
| b) Make a Model | |
| c) Use Manipulatives |
IV. Skills
The skills that I am focusing on in this course are:
| A. | The Problem Solving Strategies list above |
| B. | Articulating mathematical ideas and processes clearly both in written and verbal forms |
| C. | Basic mathematical computational skills |
| 1. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division | |
| 2. Order of Operations | |
| 3. Exponents | |
| 4. Square Roots | |
| 5. Computations with fractions | |
| D. | Appropriate use of scientific calculator |
V. Assessments
A. Students will be given a Problem of the Week (P.O.W.) every Monday that will
need to be completed and turned in to be marked every Friday. Therefore, they
will have completed approximately 15 P.O.W's a semester.
B. Students will have 1 quiz and 1 test for each of the Problem Solving Strategies
covered. These tests will be made up of problems similar to those they completed
in learning a strategy.
C. Students will have to take several quizzes/tests on skills that are reviewed
within the course.
1. D. Students are required to keep a notebook, which will contain notes as
well as many examples of problems they have worked on in groups or as individuals.
2. E. Students will be required to compile examples of their best work, revise
that work to the best of their abilities and be able to present it in front
of the class or a roundtable.
VI. Instructional Materials
A. Problem Solving Strategies, Crossing the River with Dogs, Student Text
B. Problem Solving Strategies, Crossing the River with Dogs, Teachers Resource
Book
C. Interactive Mathematics Program, Year 1, Student Text
VII. Instructional Strategies
Students will be assigned to groups of four randomly that will change every
3-4 weeks. The groups will be responsible for working on solutions to problems
in class, writing up the problem in the correct manner and being prepared to
present their findings to the rest of the class. Students are expected to work
alone on all quizzes and tests.