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Useful Tips

Problem-solving is the foundation of Primary Mathematics. Adopting Polya’s Problem solving approach will help pupils to scaffold and develop the process of problem-solving.

1. Understand the Problem (Understand)

Read to understand the problem.
If at first reading you are not clear, read again.
Still if there is a problem, read chunk by chunk.
Explain the question in another way.
Use visualisation tool – model, timeline, diagrams, table etc.

2. Devise a Plan (Plan)

Have I seen a similar or related question before?
Do I have a ready plan?
Do I have all the data? What data is missing?
Can I find the missing data?
Can I use a smaller number to try first?
Use a heuristics?

3. Carry out the Plan (Do)

Are all my steps accurate?
Are there traps I need to be alert of?
Have I used all the data given?
Do my steps make sense?

4. Review and discuss the solution (Check)

Does the answer make sense?
Did I answer the question?
Could this problem be solved in a simpler way?