Math Problem-Solving Prompts

I finally finished my first Teachers Pay Teachers packet of Kindergarten Math Problem-Solving Prompts!

Click Here!

If you've been reading my blog for a while now, you know that I am just a little passionate about math problem-solving. OK, so I'm a big nerd! But since I started using a problem-solving model in my classroom several years ago, I have seen amazing growth in my students' math skills. Kindergartners can do so much more than I ever imagined!

Problem-Solving is here to stay!

If you follow the Common Core, the Mathematical Practices are all about Problem-Solving!

1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

4. Model with mathematics.

5. Use appropriate tools strategically.

6. Attend to precision.

7. Look for and make use of structure.

8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

And if you're in Texas, like me, the new TEKS stress the "process standards" and explicitly state that children will use a problem-solving model:

Students will use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution. Students will select appropriate tools such as real objects, manipulatives, algorithms, paper and pencil, and technology and techniques such as mental math, estimation, number sense, and generalization and abstraction to solve problems. Students will effectively communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations such as symbols, diagrams, graphs, computer programs, and language. Students will use mathematical relationships to generate solutions and make connections and predictions. Students will analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas. Students will display, explain, or justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communication.

Problem-solving isn't just solving word problems...it's so much more!

It's inquiry-based math. It's letting kids tackle a challenging task using their own strategies. It's guiding kids--not showing them. It's teaching kids how to explain their thinking in meaningful ways. It's helping kids become independent and lifelong learners!

My Kindergarten Problem-Solving Prompts cover the First Nine Weeks of school. There are 45 prompts that focus on the following topics:

• Basic Counting Skills and Cardinalization
• More Than/Fewer Than
• Composing and Decomposing Numbers
• Simple Addition and Subtraction
• 2-D Shapes
• Learning How to Express Mathematical Ideas

A few of the prompts have already been on my blog (especially in 2-D shapes and Learning How to Share). But they're good! And there is PLENTY of new stuff--including almost all of the counting and addition/subtraction prompts.

I also include teacher notes for each topic and questions you can ask your kids during share time to deepen their understanding and work out misconceptions.

Each prompt is provided in 2 ways--6 to a page if your kids like to cut and paste...or on mailing labels if you prefer to peel and stick. (I do a little of both.)

For my Texas peeps, I'll be uploading a Texas version this weekend (with TEKS instead of the CCSS). And I'm working hard on the sequel (for the second nine weeks) and will post it sometime in September.

In the meantime, I'm going to blog a lot about problem-solving over the next few weeks--detailing what it looks and sounds like, what kids do, what teachers do, tips for assessing and keeping data, warm-up and computational fluency ideas...please...someone stop me!

And if you buy my Problem-Solving prompts, please let me know what you think! It's your feedback that helps me create better products!

Thank-you all so much for your amazing support and encouragement over the last few  years. You make blogging fun!

Have a great weekend!

Love,

Kathryn

Comments

[FRANCINE GARDINER]

Hi! I love your new problem solving packet and plan on purchasing it and using it in my kindergarten classroom. Could you please tell me what kind of notebook you use for a math journal and what size address labels work best for printing the prompts?
Thanks so much!
Fran Gardiner

[Kyla McGlynn]

I just purchased your problem solving packet and it looks wonderful! In the middle of last year, I really started working through the problem solving process with my kindergarteners, but often struggled to find good problems or create problems on my own. I tutored 3rd graders in math in preparation for the STAAR test, and since doing so, I see how important is to engage students in the problem solving process from an early age! I am excited to use these problems in my classroom and to see what problems you have for the next quarter! Thanks!!!

[Candy]

I just got the prompts for the first nine weeks and love it! How soon can we purchase the problem solving packets for the rest of the year?

[Aimee Pena]

I just purchased the prompts for the first nine weeks and I love what I see. I am very excited to start using them. When will the second nine weeks prompts be available?

[Jenn M]

My class used your TEKS-aligned prompts last year and we LOVED them! It definitely required critical thinking on the part of my students. I'm so excited to see you'll be posting the second nine weeks in September. I appreciate all your hard work and time putting these packets together.

[Bridget Stanners]

I bought the entire year and love it! I was wondering where I can get the labels for the notebooks? I know they were on your site a few years back, because I have some that I printed then, but not enough for my whole class. Am I missing them, are they still here? Bridget S.