Analyzing Difficulties in Arithmetic Word Problem Solving: An Epistemological Case Study in Primary School

This paper focuses on difficulties that primary school students have in facing mathematical word problems. In particular, we are interested in exploring how they develop in the transition from grade 2 to grade 5. The research basis of the hypothesis is that some difficulties detected in grade 5 are already predictable in grade 2. Starting from the data collected in grade 5 by the National Standardized Assessment, we carry out a quantitative analysis looking for word problems in which students experience difficulties. Subsequently, we conduct a backward analysis of the grade 2 test of the same cohort of students in order to identify a set of word problems linked with those selected in grade 5 test. The analysis shows the presence of many common difficulties in the two grades. We design and carry out specific educational activities concerning word problem-solving in grade 2. These activities produce positive changes in the experimental class compared to the control class. This could suggest that a previous intervention in grade 2 could allow overcoming future difficulties in word problem text comprehension in grade 5.

Making Word Problems Meaningful

Teachers can employ four strategies that students in K–12 already know and use in literacy to better comprehend mathematical word problems.

Using Reciprocal Teaching for Improving Students’ Skills in Mathematical Word Problem Solving - A Project of Participatory Action Research

<p style="text-align: justify;">This study aims to present the potential of Participatory Action Research (PAR) to bring together the experiences of teachers and researchers with the intention of improving teaching practices and students’ learning outcomes. Participants in the study were 7 teachers, their 160 fifths grade students, and researchers (authors). Teachers and researchers participated as partners in all collaborative activities during the period of 12 weeks. All teachers assisted by the researcher (first author) who serves as a teacher at the same school, were involved in implementing the reciprocal teaching method (RTM) in math classes. They examined each step of the implementation of this method in order to investigate whether it has an impact on student achievement in solving mathematical word problems. Teachers observed the work of students in their classes, whereas in the joint meetings they discussed occasional ambiguities as well as issues that were most challenging for them and their students. The results showed that there was a significant improvement of the students’ results in the post-test of the mathematical word problems. The analysis of teachers' reflections highlights the benefits of collaboration within the PAR project, both for students and teachers. The study suggests that the PAR model can be used effectively within school settings as a research model, and as a pedagogical practice.</p>

A Systematic Review of Modified Schema-Based Instruction for Teaching Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities to Solve Mathematical Word Problems

Modified schema-based instruction (MSBI) is a strategy to teach mathematical word problem solving to students with moderate and severe disabilities (MSD). In this comprehensive review, we explore the current state of research on MSBI to determine whether MSBI is an evidence-based practice (EBP) for students with MSD. We reviewed 12 studies, of which 11 met quality standards. Thirty-nine participants, all of whom participated in statewide alternate assessments, were included in these studies, the majority of whom were middle school students with intellectual disability. Four research teams explicitly targeted state content standards. The researcher served as interventionist in 82% of the studies. Although the overall effect size was very large (1.0 Tau), our findings suggest that MSBI is not yet an EBP for students with MSD. We provide an overview of current contextual factors and suggestions for future researchers to continue the investigation of MSBI.

Mathematical Word Problems That Contain a Constant in the Course of Mathematics of Primary School in Ukraine

The article is devoted to the research of the place of the mathematical word problems in the course of mathematics of primary school in Ukraine. The researchers define the results in the study of solving math problems, find out the essence of the process of solving math problems, form primary school students’ ability to solve math problems that contain a constant. Among the mentioned are to find the fourth proportional, do the proportional division and find the unknown number by two differences. The paper deals with the organization of educational research of students in order to identify common and distinctive features of the mathematical structures of these types of math problems and their influence on the method of solution. Based on the methodological system of teaching primary school learners to solve math problems by S. Skvortsova, taking into account the essence of the concept of “ability to solve math problems” and the methodical system of forming the ability to solve certain types of math problems, it has been proposed a system of drilling activities for the generalization of mathematical structures and methods of solving math problems that contain a constant value.

Promoting Sustainable Development in School Classrooms: Using Reciprocal Teaching in Mathematics Education

Many elementary students face difficulties in solving word-based, mathematical problems. This study explores using the reciprocal teaching instructional strategy for word-based, mathematical problems at the elementary level. We used a quasiexperimental research design for this study to address the reciprocal teaching environment design, implementation, and evaluation at elementary level mathematics education. Two sixth grade model classes, A & B, of a public secondary school from the district of Okara, Punjab, Pakistan, were selected for this study. Reciprocal teaching for mathematics appears to be an essential strategy for nurturing a more in-depth understanding of the text of mathematical word problems at the elementary level. This instructional approach could enhance an extraordinary level of skill in critical thinking, reasoning, and understanding.