Using a Plan of Attack for Math Problem-Solving

Spending the majority of their time modeling problems and making sense of relationships in math can help students move beyond a surface-level grasp.

Join the Edutopia community today to get articles, videos, and more delivered via email every Wednesday—all tailored to you and your unique role: https://edut.to/3wEVHUh

At every grade level, math teachers in the Success Academy Network in New York City ask students to spend the lion’s share of their time during math lessons deeply examining the question they are being asked to solve. Students start by asking themselves questions like, “What are the mathematical relationships in the problem?” “What is this problem asking me to do?” and “How can I model my thinking?” Every classroom even has a formula—printed out and displayed on the wall—for the math “Plan of Attack,” which includes three parts: Using 80 percent of the allotted time to conceptualize the question by reading the problem multiple times, then modeling the relationships and actions in the problems, 10 percent to answer the question by determining a strategy they will use to solve it and then computing, and finally double checking in the last 10 percent of their time—by rereading the problem, evaluating their own reasoning, and checking computations for accuracy.

To see all of Edutopia's coverage on Success Academy Charter Schools, visit: https://bit.ly/3MBoVrw

*Follow us here:*
Official Website: https://edutopia.org 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/edutopia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edutopia
X: https://twitter.com/edutopia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edutopia/

#mathclass #mathproblems #mathteacher

© 2024 George Lucas Educational Foundation