Primary School Problem Solving Skills

Learning to Think Mathematically: Problem Solving, Metacognition, and Sense Making in Mathematics (Reprint)

Alan H. Schoenfeld

Conceptual review of research on mathematical problem solving using classroom episodes. Shows how teaching strategies and metacognition shape students’ problem-solving habits. Teachers can use it to design lessons that model thinking aloud, planning, checking, and flexible strategy use.

The Effect of Mathematics Teaching Through Polya’s Problem Solving Steps Upon 4th Grade Students’ Success of Solving Mathematic Problems

Pelin Kösece Loğoğlu, Lütfi Üredi

Quasi-experimental study with Turkish 4th graders comparing regular teaching and lessons structured with Polya’s four problem-solving steps. Students taught with Polya’s steps showed higher success on word problems. Teachers can explicitly teach understand-plan-do-check steps and model them in daily math lessons.

Problem Solving in Mathematics Education

Peter Liljedahl, Manuel Santos-Trigo, Uldarico Malaspina, Regina Bruder

Open-access book synthesizing international research on mathematical problem solving. Includes discussion of heuristics, problem posing, and classroom tasks. Teachers can adapt the described task types and teaching moves to help elementary students explore non-routine problems and explain their reasoning.

Learning to Teach Mathematics Through Problem Solving

Judy Bailey

Open textbook chapter reviewing research and classroom examples of problem-solving approaches in early childhood. Emphasizes rich tasks, student talk, and teacher questioning. Teachers can choose open-ended problems, encourage multiple strategies, and use class discussions to highlight efficient solutions.

Children's Problem Posing Within Formal and Informal Contexts

Lyn D. English

Empirical study of elementary students asked to create their own mathematical problems in class and everyday settings. Finds problem posing deepens understanding and creativity. Teachers can integrate regular “create a problem” activities linked to stories, games, and real-life situations.