Seminar: Solving Problems Through Problem Solving
Program: DINÉ
Subject Area: Math
Grade Level: 3rd
Year of Publication: 2022
Abstract
Mathematics builds mental discipline and encourages one to become a problem solver, to use deductive and inductive reasoning, to be creative thinkers and to communicate through reasoning. Verbal skills and comprehension skills are also a great part of math. Math skills are needed for jobs such as holding a job as an accountant, engineer, scientist, architect, business, medical field, computer or financial analyst. In addition, in the home environment when it comes to making or selling goods, taking care of livestock, planting, shopping, and creating artifacts or jewelry, math plays a large role. Learning mathematics takes more than the students doing the math, but the most important key to effective learning is the instruction from the teacher. The teacher improves instruction through enhancing, empowering, energizing, and engaging to increase student achievement (Linwand, 2009). When teaching math problems, it takes more than just a quick answer; engaging students in discussion, rationalizing, reasoning, and justifying will have a lasting effect and further make the connection with other math skills other than word problems.