Genni Brzezinski Portfolio

Course Name

Promoting Problem Solving in the Math Classroom

Intent of Project

The intent of this project is to enlighten educators about the need to promote problem solving in the classroom. With the implementation of the Common Core Learning Standards, teachers should not solely focus on the students’ arrival at the correct solution, but also, the process that they took. The course demonstrates different problem solving strategies that can be used to find the solutions to Common Core aligned sixth grade questions. In addition, the course presents student work samples which show a variety of problem solving skills that a sample of sixth grade students used to find the answer to a given task. By examining the student work, educators can see the potential that their students possess. By allowing for students to work together, and encouraging problem solving, students will become more comfortable with answering questions in more than one way.

Needs Analysis for Data Analysis for Differentiated Instruction

Problem: Students lack the opportunities to and encouragement to solve problems in more than one way. By going to various professional development classes, I have observed that teachers themselves are sometimes hesitant to solve problems in alternative ways. Teachers tend to use the strategy that they are most comfortable with and this is the same strategy that they teach the students. By having teachers become more comfortable with other approaches, it will hopefully cause teachers to help promote the use of alternative strategies in their classrooms.

What is to be learned: Teachers will learn the importance of allowing students to use alternative approaches when solving problems.

The Learners

The learners will be middle school mathematics teachers.

Instructional Context

Most of the activities of this course will take place online and by the individual. At the end of each unit, there will be learning activities. The learning activities consist of a series of questions that allow the learner to conduct a self-analysis to check for the understanding of the material in the unit.

Exploring the Problem and the Solution: Learners will have the opportunity to read, watch videos, analyze student data, and reflect on their learning.

Goals: For teachers to promote solving problems in alternative ways.