How can I Help my Student in Math?
The "key" to helping your student is to ask questions to get the student to think about the problem. Try not to tell them how to think. Try not to do it for them. Continue to ask "why" and "how" questions. Having the student really think about the problem may be more beneficial than actually getting a final solution. Encourage the student to contact a classmate to discuss the problem.
Below, are a series of four steps students can use to help themselves solve a problem. Each step is followed by questions you can ask your student to help them in the process.
I. CLARIFY THE PROBLEM
• Have you read the entire problem?
• In your own words, what is the problem?
• What is the problem asking you to do?
• What do you know based on the given information?
• Do you need to know information from previous assignments?
II. THINK ABOUT THE PROBLEM
• What have you done before that might help you start?
• What did you do in class today?
• What information do you need to solve the problem?
• Tell me what you already know about the problem.
• Can you draw a picture to help yourself understand the problem?
• Show and explain to me what you have done in the past few days.
• How much time have you spent thinking about the problem?
• How far into the problem has your thinking taken you?
• What have you discussed with your classmates?
• What is making this problem difficult for you?
III. SOLVE THE PROBLEM
• What approaches have you tried?
• Where did you get stuck?
• Have you thought of another way to solve this problem?
• Why did you do what you did?
• Have you tried to make a simpler example?
• What would happen if ….?
IV. CHECK AND JUSTIFY THE SOLUTION
• Why do you think you have the best solution?
• Does your solution make sense? How do you know?
• How does your answer relate to the problem?
• Do you think there is another solution? Why or why not?
• Can you explain to me what you did?
Here is another great resource and how to get there!
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