Word problems have been a staple of mathematics instruction for centuries, yet the rationale for their use has remained largely unexamined. A range of findings have shown how students consistently answer them in ways that fail to take account of the reality of the situations described. This monograph reports on studies carried out to investigate this "suspension of sense-making" in answering word problems. In Part One, a wide range of examples documenting the strength of the phenomenon is reviewed. Initial surprise at the findings was replaced by a conviction that the explanation lies in the culture of the mathematics classroom, specifically the rules implicitly governing the nature and interpretation of the word problem genre. This theoretical shift is reflected in Part Two. A detailed analysis of the way in which word problems are currently taught in typical mathematical classrooms is followed by reviews of design experiments illustrating how, by immersing students in a fundamentally changed learning environment, they can acquire what the authors consider to be more appropriate conceptions about, and strategies for doing, word problems. Part Three turns to a wider discussion of theoretical issues, a further analysis of the features of the educational system considered responsible for outcomes detrimental to many students' understanding and conception of mathematics, and suggestions for rethinking the role of word problems within the curriculum.

"This book is a must-have for anyone who has faced the challenge of teaching problem solving. The ideas to be learned are supported with a noticeably rich collection of classroom-ready problems, examples of student thinking, and videos. Problem solving is at the center of learning and doing mathematics. And so, Mathematize It! should be at the center of every teacher’s collection of instructional resources." John SanGiovanni Coordinator, Elementary Mathematics Howard County Public School System, Ellicott City, MD Help students reveal the math behind the words "I don’t get what I’m supposed to do!" This is a common refrain from students when asked to solve word problems. Solving problems is about more than computation. Students must understand the mathematics of a situation to know what computation will lead to an appropriate solution. Many students often pluck numbers from the problem and plug them into an equation using the first operation they can think of (or the last one they practiced). Students also tend to choose an operation by solely relying on key words that they believe will help them arrive at an answer, which without careful consideration of what the problem is actually asking of them. Mathematize It! Going Beyond Key Words to Make Sense of Word Problems, Grades K-2 shares a reasoning approach that helps students dig into the problem to uncover the underlying mathematics, deeply consider the problem’s context, and employ strong operation sense to solve it. Through the process of mathematizing, the authors provide an explanation of a consistent method—and specific instructional strategies—to take the initial focus off specific numbers and computations and put it on the actions and relationships expressed in the problem. Sure to enhance teachers’ own operation sense, this user-friendly resource for Grades K-2 · Offers a systematic mathematizing process for students to use when solving word problems · Gives practice opportunities and dozens of problems to leverage in the classroom · Provides specific examples of questions and explorations for addition and subtraction of whole numbers as well as early thinking for multiplication and division · Demonstrates the use of concrete manipulatives to model problems with dozens of short videos · Includes end-of-chapter activities and reflection questions How can you help your students understand what is happening mathematically when solving word problems? Mathematize it!

"The list of math books to truly synthesize what we know so far and what we need to know is a very short and exclusive list. Well, you can confidently add Mathematize It to this collection. Written by three of the most respected math educators today, the book zeros in on that often poorly traveled journey between the question and answer in problem solving. Mathematize It will be your go-to resource to install the mathematical play revolution in elementary classes everywhere!" Suni Singh Author of Pi of Life: the Hidden Happiness of Mathematics and Math Recess: Playful Learning in an Age of Disruption Help students reveal the math behind the words "I don’t get what I’m supposed to do!" This is a common refrain from students when asked to solve word problems. Solving problems is about more than computation. Students must understand the mathematics of a situation to know what computation will lead to an appropriate solution. Many students often pluck numbers from the problem and plug them into an equation using the first operation they can think of (or the last one they practiced). Students also tend to choose an operation by solely relying on key words that they believe will help them arrive at an answer, which without careful consideration of what the problem is actually asking of them. Mathematize It! Going Beyond Key Words to Make Sense of Word Problems, Grades 3-5 shares a reasoning approach that helps students dig into the problem to uncover the underlying mathematics, deeply consider the problem’s context, and employ strong operation sense to solve it. Through the process of mathematizing, the authors provide an explanation of a consistent method—and specific instructional strategies—to take the initial focus off specific numbers and computations and put it on the actions and relationships expressed in the problem. Sure to enhance teachers’ own operation sense, this user-friendly resource for Grades 3–5 • Offers a systematic mathematizing process for students to use when solving word problems • Gives practice opportunities and dozens of problems to leverage in the classroom • Provides specific examples of questions and explorations for all four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals • Demonstrates the use of concrete manipulatives to model problems with dozens of short videos • Includes end-of-chapter activities and reflection questions How can you help your students understand what is happening mathematically when solving word problems? Mathematize it!

Ask mathematicians to describe mathematics and they' ll use words like playful, beautiful, and creative. Pose the same question to students and many will use words like boring, useless, and even humiliating. Becoming the Math Teacher You Wish You' d Had, author Tracy Zager helps teachers close this gap by making math class more like mathematics. Zager has spent years working with highly skilled math teachers in a diverse range of settings and grades and has compiled those' ideas from these vibrant classrooms into' this game-changing book. Inside you' ll find: ' How to Teach Student-Centered Mathematics:' Zager outlines a problem-solving approach to mathematics for elementary and middle school educators looking for new ways to inspire student learning Big Ideas, Practical Application:' This math book contains dozens of practical and accessible teaching techniques that focus on fundamental math concepts, including strategies that simulate connection of big ideas; rich tasks that encourage students to wonder, generalize, hypothesize, and persevere; and routines to teach students how to collaborate Key Topics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers:' Becoming the Math Teacher You Wish You' d Had' offers fresh perspectives on common challenges, from formative assessment to classroom management for elementary and middle school teachers No matter what level of math class you teach, Zager will coach you along chapter by chapter. All teachers can move towards increasingly authentic and delightful mathematics teaching and learning. This important book helps develop instructional techniques that will make the math classes we teach so much better than the math classes we took.

Help students reveal the math behind the words "I don’t get what I’m supposed to do!" This is a common refrain from students when asked to solve word problems. Solving problems is about more than computation. Students must understand the mathematics of a situation to know what computation will lead to an appropriate solution. Many students often pluck numbers from the problem and plug them into an equation using the first operation they can think of (or the last one they practiced). Students also tend to choose an operation by solely relying on key words that they believe will help them arrive at an answer, without careful consideration of what the problem is actually asking of them. Mathematize It! Going Beyond Key Words to Make Sense of Word Problems, Grades 6–8 shares a reasoning approach that helps students dig into the problem to uncover the underlying mathematics, deeply consider the problem’s context, and employ strong operation sense to solve it. Through the process of mathematizing, the authors provide an explanation of a consistent method—and specific instructional strategies—to take the initial focus off specific numbers and computations and put it on the actions and relationships expressed in the problem. Sure to enhance teachers’ own operation sense, this user-friendly resource for Grades 6–8: · Offers a systematic mathematizing process for students to use when solving word problems · Gives practice opportunities and dozens of problems to leverage in the classroom · Provides specific examples of questions and explorations for multiplication and division, fractions and decimals, as well as operations with rational numbers · Demonstrates the use of visual representations to model problems with dozens of short videos · Includes end-of-chapter activities and reflection questions How can you help your students understand what is happening mathematically when solving word problems? Mathematize it!

In Making Sense of Math, Cathy L. Seeley, former president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, shares her insight into how to turn your students into flexible mathematical thinkers and problem solvers. This practical volume concentrates on the following areas: * Making sense of math by fostering habits of mind that help students analyze, understand, and adapt to problems when they encounter them. * Addressing the mathematical building blocks necessary to include in effective math instruction. * Turning teaching “upside down” by shifting how we teach, focusing on discussion and analysis as much as we focus on correct answers. * Garnering support for the changes you want to make from colleagues and administrators. Learn how to make math meaningful for your students and prepare them for a lifetime of mathematical fluency and problem solving.