Do you have a "just right" problem for your students to solve during guided math? There are many misconceptions about guided math. The biggest one is that students are pulled to small group to practice computation using manipulatives or algorithms learned during whole group. But really guided math is similar to guided reading in that it's all about using all of the math processes. This means the first step to guided math is selecting a problem in which students will engage in a productive struggle using all of their new learning and prior knowledge to solve.

Read for Meaning 1st

In every guided math session, a word problem with a real world situation must be used. Students work first to understand the meaning of the text. If a student does not understand what is going on in the text, they will not be able to understand what the question is asking of them. This is one of the main reason students do poorly on standardized tests. They are not processing and understanding the situation in the problem. Math and reading should be integrated. It takes reading and understanding to accurately solve problems. You can do the most accurate computation, but it won't matter if you don't solve the correct problem.

Take the Question Out

If students are struggling to understand what is happening in the word problem, try taking the question out of the text. Give students only the information and have them act it out or draw a picture to represent their thinking about the situation described. Sometimes when a question is removed, it takes the anxiety out of the word problem.

Identify What is Known

Teach students that problems are like stories. Word problems have a beginning, called a "start," a middle, called a "change," and an end, called a "result." Small group practice is the best time to monitor students' processing. Can they identify the situation in the problem? Can they identify the start, change, and result? All of this (and more!) has to happen before they pick up the pencil and start to solve.

Discussion

Students need to talk a lot during math. Guided math provides a perfect opportunity for the teacher to listen in and monitor students' thinking and rationales about the problems they are solving. Students need to do math out loud before math inner speech is developed.

For more problem solving ideas and tips, join us for our virtual workshop on Problem Solving during Guided Math!

Did you know that the first antibiotic, Penicillin, was discovered from a productive struggle that Dr. Alexander Fleming was in? Yes, a productive struggle is what lead to the discovery of the life saving drug in 1928! Dr. Fleming discovered mold growing in petri dishes after returning from summer vacation and said that the mold had contaminated his study. He later discovered that the mold actually stopped bacteria from growing.

When students are comfortable, they aren't spurred on to change or learn. The best learning takes place when students think they have made a mistake or are annoyed by an obstacle that they must overcome. Mistakes are welcomed, because learning takes place when students have to revise their thinking and add to their schema. Just like Dr. Fleming did back in 1928. He encountered a struggle where he had to revise his thinking.

My good friend Ryan Doetch says "Mistakes are expected, inspected, and respected!" Piaget tells us that mistakes are how we add to our schema. Basically, we learn more when we make mistakes! Educators should make mistakes and discuss past mistakes in front of their students. This will show that we are all constant learners and making a mistake is not a negative thing. Mistakes show the ability to learn and humility (and humility looks good on everyone).

The Association for Psychological Science says "For individuals with a growth mind-set, who believe intelligence develops through effort, mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn and improve. For individuals with a fixed mind-set, who believe intelligence is a stable characteristic, mistakes indicate lack of ability."

Don't be afraid to let students take the learning reigns and struggle through and make mistakes. Refer students to resources such as the success criteria so that they have the tools to figure out the situation. Allowing students to examine their errors is a crucial instructional strategy that promotes growth. This is also a real world tool everyone needs. We are constantly evolving and learning and it is through mistakes and failures that we do the most learning!

3 Hour Online Seminar

August 3rd

9:30am -12:30pm

Join Randi Anderson for an interactive webinar all about setting up your classroom to thrive this year! Classroom space is limited, so every inch must be planned. Learn setup ideas for classroom libraries, wall spaces, student work spaces, whole group meeting areas and much more! 3 hours of professional learning credit will be awarded. For more information, click here!