PROBLEM SOLVING
My goal as a math teacher is to teach my students to think. I recommend the following as good sources for problems to use in your classroom, giving your students the opportunity to think, reason, and engage in brainstorming. This list was compiled by U.T. math professor Dr. Martha Smith, I just provided the links.
Written by Brian Bolt and published by the Cambridge University Press, you will find in these three books many fine sources of problems for the mathematics classroom.
Publishes a newsletter "Consortium" that contains regular problem columns, a high school pull-out section and lots of other materials. A catalog is available. Telephone 1-800-772-6627.
A source for many of the publications that are on this list plus many other mathematical goodies. Request a free K-8 or Secondary Mathematics Catalog. To place or inquire about an order, call toll-free:
Written by Tim Erickson and available from Dale Seymour Publications. Includes a chart indicating which problems use what type of skill and the appropriate grade level.
Written by Bernice Kastner and available from Dale Seymour Publications. Features mathematical problems, grouped by type of mathematics used, arising in space science.
Written by Joe Kennedy and Diane Thomas available from P.O. Box 132, Oxford, Ohio, 45056. Various volumes aimed at different grade levels. Problems are embedded in stories. Ready for duplication, with restricted permission to copy.
One feature of this website is "Problem of the Week." Many good math links plus a math teaching search engine.
Janson Publication, Providence, Rhode Island. Problems from British math competitions for high school students. Problem pages have limited reproduction permission. Solutions and discussion included.
Telephone 1-800-235-7566. NCTM is the national professional organization for elementary and secondary mathematics teachers, publisher of professional journals and books. Student memberships are available. Membership includes subscription to Mathematics Teacher, Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School or Teaching Children Mathematics. The first two journals have regular problem solving features.
The following publications available from NCTM are recommended:
Edited by Marla Parker and published by the Mathematical Association of America (1995), this is a collection of short, autobiographical sketches of women in a variety of occupations plus examples of the mathematics problems they encounter on the job.
Written by George Polya in 1945 and published by Princeton University Press the publisher has this to say:
Written by George Polya and Published by Wiley (1962), these two volumes have many problems and discussion of problem solving.
Written by Dale Semour and Ed Beardslee and published by Dale Seymour Publications, this is a good source of worksheets and blackline masters with permission to reproduce for classes of one teacher.
Written by Edward A. Silver, Jeremy Kilpatrick, and Beth Schlesinger and published by the College Board (1990). You will find this and other publications in the "store." Helpful ideas or how to incorporate problem solving and communicating mathematics into the classroom. Highly recommended.
UCSMP has developed a full mathematics curriculum to implement the NCTM Standards by emphasizing application, reading and writing, problem solving, and technology. Read Zalman Usiskin's article "Lessons From the Chicago Mathematics Project" that appeared in Educational Leadership 50, Mary (1993)): 14-18.
