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Gwinnett County Public Schools

Problem Solving

Frequent Use Strategy

The Problem-Solving strategy engages students with the AKS through a relevant problem or challenge to develop knowledge and skills and to deepen understanding.

When using Problem-Solving, the teacher explicitly models, teaches, and engages students in a problem-solving process through relevant real-world problems to demonstrate mastery of the AKS.

When effectively applying the Problem-Solving strategy, teachers will strategically ask high-level questions, monitor students' progress, formatively assess student learning, and give timely and specific feedback. Students will engage in the problem-solving process by making predictions, conducting research, collecting evidence, developing solutions, and sharing their reasoning.

Problem-Solving is not isolated from the AKS as a separate event or an extension of the learning. It is not a culminating project, teacher directed, or contrived. Problem-Solving is most effective when it is student centered and requires students to develop deep understanding as they synthesize, evaluate, and/or create something new to demonstrate their learning of the AKS.

References

Model Lessons

Effect of Temperature on Solubility

Students will analyze graphs, read texts and discuss thinking through a Say Something protocol to develop the ability to respond to a problem based scenario in writing.

Qualitative Graphs: Heart Rate Monitoring

Students will describe the relationship between two quantities and sketch a graph that shows features of a function that has been described verbally.

Simplifying Expressions: Justified True/False Statements

The students will draw upon mathematical concepts and procedures to analyze their validity.

Videos

Math ES 1195-2

In this video, the teacher models how to analyze a pattern to extend. The teacher provides the opportunity to share their thinking on patterns.

Math ES 1197-1

In this video, the students are engaged in an activating strategy where they are engage in a problem and asked to share their findings. Students also exchange ideas to support the understanding of the problems.

Math HS 1207-1

In this video, the teacher engages students in a problem-solving task to start the learning for the math AKS

Math HS 1207-15

In this video, the teacher provides a framework the next steps in the learning for students to collaborate with peers.

Math MS 1200-2

In this video, the teacher monitors students as they work collaboratively to evaluate and communicate their findings for a math concept.

All QPTS Tools

For any questions with this guide or its content, please call Instructional Support at (678) 301-6804.