Learning to Solve Problems in Primary Grades

Problem solving lies at the heart of mathematical learning. Children need opportunities to write, discuss, and solve problems on a regular basis (NCTM 2000). The problems must incorporate grade-appropriate content and be “accessible and engaging to the students, building on what they know and can do” (Lester and Charles 2003, p. xi). Teachers also play a key role in establishing a classroom environment that encourages children to solve problems in different ways and develop habits of mind that include persistence, risk taking, and a questioning attitude (Whitin and Whitin 2003). This article describes how a class of second- and third-grade students learned to create and solve their own problems.