Resources for Teaching Problem-Solving Strategies


Don’t I Know It’s Summer? Why am I bothering you?

Okay, I know, I know. It’s summer and you don’t want to think about lesson planning. Don’t I know that you only get a few weeks off each year and, for God’s sake, you’d like to take a break! Yes, I get it but school will be back in session before you know it. Just bookmark this page. You’ll be glad you did.

Problem-solving strategies have to be taught

Does it ever surprise you when a student doesn’t know how to solve a problem? Sometimes students don’t have a wide enough array of strategies. We have videos, games and presentations to help you teach.

Problem-solving Videos

Slide Presentations

POWERPOINTPDF FORMAT
Build a Model
IN SPANISH: Construye un modelo
Build a Model
IN SPANISH: Construye un modelo
Start at the end
IN SPANISH: Comienza desde el final
Start at the end
IN SPANISH: Comienza desde el final
Throw Out What You Don’t Need
IN SPANISH:  Quita lo que no necesitas
Throw Out What You Don’t Need
IN SPANISH: 
Quita lo que no necesitas
Visualize!
IN SPANISH: ¡Visualiza!
Visualize!
IN SPANISH: ¡Visualiza!
Write out the numbers and what they represent
IN SPANISH: Escribe los números y lo que representan
Write out the numbers and what they represent 
IN SPANISH: Escribe los números y lo que representan

Games that teach problem-solving strategies

All of our games teach problem-solving to some extent, such as this video on how to solve timeline problems for years before the year 1 (that is Before the Christian Era), which is found in our game AzTech: Meet the Maya. If what you are looking for, though, is general problem-solving strategies, I would suggest these four games:

Wigwam from Making Camp Premium

Making Camp Premium

Teaches problem-solving strategies, multiplication, division, Ojibwe history and English/ Language Arts. Runs on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iOS and Android.

Making Camp Lakota

Teaches problem-solving strategies, division and Lakota history. Can be played in English or Lakota. This game is free. Runs on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iOS and Android.

Spirit Lake: The Game

This game teaches problem-solving strategies, multiplication, division and Dakota history. It plays on Mac and Windows computers. It must be installed on your device. This game is fun for anyone but for schools that have slow or unreliable Internet it is a Godsend.

 

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