Introduction to Problem Solving, Second Edition, Grades 3-5

NCTM’s Process Standards were designed to support teaching that helps children develop independent, effective mathematical thinking. The books in the Heinemann Math Process Standards Series give every elementary teacher the opportunity to explore each one of the standards in depth. And with language and examples that don’t require prior math training to understand, the series offers friendly, reassuring advice to any teacher preparing to embrace the Process Standards.

In the second edition of Introduction to Problem Solving, Susan O’Connell updates her popular and easy-to-use guide. O’Connell eases you into problem solving, giving you an array of entry points for understanding, planning, and teaching; strategies that help students develop mathematical thinking; and a wealth of all-new activities that are modifiable for immediate use with students of all levels. Written by a veteran teacher for teachers of every level of experience, Introduction to Problem Solving fosters a new awareness of the importance of problem solving and highlights ways to implement it without rewriting your curriculum.

Best of all, like all the titles in the Math Process Standards Series, Introduction to Problem Solving comes with two powerful tools to help you get started and plan well: online resources with activities customizable to match your lessons and a correlation guide that helps you match mathematical content with the processes it utilizes.

If problem solving is a problem you’d like to solve. Or if you’re simply looking for new ways to work the problem-solving standards into your curriculum, read, dog-ear, and teach with Introduction to Problem Solving, Second Edition. And if you’d like to learn about any of NCTM’s process standards, or if you’re looking for new, classroom-tested ways to address them in your math teaching, look no further than Heinemann’s Math Process Standards Series. You’ll find them explained in the most understandable and practical way: from one teacher to another.

Susan O'Connell has decades of experience supporting teachers in making sense of mathematics and effectively shifting how they teach. As a former elementary teacher, reading specialist, and math coach, Sue knows what it's like in the classroom and her background is evident throughout her work as she unpacks best practices in a clear, practical, and upbeat way. Sue is the lead author of the new Math by the Book series, a K-5 resource connecting math and children's literature. She is also the lead author of Math in Practice, a grade-by-grade K-5 professional learning resource. She is also coauthor of the bestselling Putting the Practices Into Action, Mastering the Basic Math Facts in Addition and Subtraction, and Mastering the Basic Math Facts in Multiplication and Division. She served as editor of Heinemann's popular Math Process Standards series and also wrote the bestselling Now I Get It. Sue is a nationally known speaker and education consultant who directs Quality Teacher Development, an organization committed to providing outstanding math professional development for schools and districts across the country. Watch an introductory Math in Practice webinar, hosted by Sue. Click here to watch Sue talk about the links between reading and math. Connect with Sue on Twitter: @SueOConnellMath