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How Problem of the Week Saved My Sanity

I’d like to preface this blog post with a friendly reminder:

I am NOT a morning person.

I am a bleary-eyed, coffee-clutching, stumbling fool before about 9:00 am. Yet…

MY SCHOOL STARTS AT 7:30. Students begin arriving at 7:20. I needed a way to help the morning routine run smoothly so I didn’t accidentally say or do something inappropriate in my morning-cranky haze.

I’ve been using word problems as a way to engage 5th grade mathematicians for awhile, and first thing in the morning seemed like a good time to establish a routine that would accomplish a few things: get them working right away, foster independence when things got a little tough, improve their problem solving skills and give them an opportunity to share and get feedback. Keep reading to see how I helped my fifth graders with word problems!

 

Here’s How It Works
Image of students gluing problems into a notebook.Every Monday morning (usually, because #reallife) my whole class receives a new Problem of the Week on their desk. Their job is to glue it into their notebook when they arrive and start working independently. (Key word: independently. As in, “It’s Monday. It’s before 9:00. Please work by yourself while I do teacher-y things like take attendance and drink my coffee.”) But seriously, I want them to work alone so they can do their best thinking and not worry about what their partner is doing. I find this gives even the most reluctant students an opportunity to have something to share when they do find a partner. They work until the announcements come on, which at my school gives them about 10 minutes.

The next day when students arrive, they get out their problems and keep working. Most likely, they didn’t finish the day before, but even if they did, they can review and revise their work. Every problem I use has an extended thinking question, so they can also move on to work on that part. Again, we work until announcements.

 

The following days (usually Wednesday and Thursday) are a little different because, once a student is ready, they are free to find a partner to share ideas or help each other get unstuck. I’ve had very little interaction with them on these problems so far, because I’m trying to foster that independence and critical thinking. Working with partners helps them to see the problem from another point of view or to confirm that they were on the right track! We had lots of conversations about what to do when they got stuck, and so we made it into a digital anchor chart.

And put it into their notebooks:

These days are also the time when students revise their work based on their discussions with partners. This might mean adding a bit more detail, changing some part of their answer, or explaining their thinking more clearly. I always ask students to review in another color so it’s easy for them (and me!) to see how their thinking has changed.

On the last day, usually Friday, students get the opportunity to share their thinking with the whole class. I usually choose a few students who solved the problem in different ways or some who made mistakes along the way. I also like to choose students who explained their thinking particularly well or who showed unique thinking in their strategies. (I also love to showcase organized, clear, and concise work!)

The whole week looks something like this:

 

Why Use Problem of the Week?

It turns out simplifying the morning routine wasn’t the only great thing about having a Problem of the Week routine.

It also:

  • helped kids practice skills in just (about) 10 minutes per day.
  • encouraged a smooth transition into the school day.
  • was a great way to introduce a new concept in a problem solving context.
  • gave students opportunities to review their own work every day.
  • encouraged revision of ideas and work.
  • offered opportunities to collaborate and discuss with other students.
  • taught students how to help each other without giving answers.
  • gave students lots of opportunities to be successful and grow.
 
Wrapping It Up (I swear!)
Problem of the Week has literally been a morning routine game changer in my 5th grade classroom. They know what to do. They do it. I drink coffee and take attendance and do anything else that needs taking care of in the morning. (Because you know the office is calling and someone left their backpack in the cafeteria and it’s probably snowing so everyone is dealing with boots and hats and mittens.)
 
And beyond the obvious plus of me not being a crazy lunatic in the morning, the students really grew. Not only in their mathematical knowledge and abilities, but in their confidence, their willingness to take risks and their ability to discuss mathematics with a partner. It was a win for everyone!
 
You can totally create your own problems for this routine, or find some in your math resource. (Usually all the good word problems are at the end of the chapter…)
 
Or if you want some that are already done for you, you can check these out on TpT. These problems all focus on the Number and Operations in Base Ten standards for 5th grade.  Click on the picture to check it out.
 
If you teach fourth grade, check out the resource with problems here:
 
If you teach a different grade, but still want to implement this in your classroom, I’ve put together just the directions, Google link, and “I’m Stuck” anchor charts in a separate resource! Just click {here}. If you think you want to give it a try, just do it! Your sanity, and your students, will benefit.
 

Last but not least, if you are looking for a way to keep track of how students are progressing with their problem solving skills OR just their math skills in general, check out this FREE math skills tracker. You can track data, make groups easily, and have a handy resource for asking the right questions to get students thinking.

Pin this idea for later!

 
 

This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Leah Popinski

    I love this, Nichole! Great idea and your explanations are very helpful. Thanks so much for your step-by-step guide to making POW powerful and doable!

  2. Ms. Trofe

    This is WONDERFUL! It is such a small tool that can make such a big impact! I can't wait to see your other domains and grade levels (someday 😉

    Could you make the Day 1-5 directions, anchor chart, and student notebook anchor charts a Freebie or a separate purchase item in your TPT store? I have teachers who would be interested in this, but not in 5th grade, so we wouldn't need the questions.

  3. Nichole Falkowski

    Hi there! Thank you so much for your kind comments. 🙂 I would love to help you get this going with your teachers and I love the idea of making the directions and anchor charts a separate component for other grades. Can you email me (craftofteaching at gmail dot com) so we can work something out?

  4. AKeenan

    Do you have problem of the week for 4th graders?

  5. Nichole Falkowski

    Hi there! I don't have 4th grade yet, but I'm working on it! Make sure to follow my TpT store and the blog for updates! If you have anything specific you would like to see in a 4th grade version, feel free to email me! craftofteaching@gmail.com

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