Math Problem Solving
Strategy: Work Backward
Appropriate Grade Level: Elementary and Middle School
Procedures/Steps:
1) Give students both the problem and the answer
2) Help them to develop the connections between the words and their numeric
representations
This helps to grasp the concept of what is being asked and how it will work toward a
solution
Comments and/or tips:
In elementary and middle school, I always struggled in math. I feel that this strategy
would have helped me to understand word problems better. I also feel that this would
have helped me to solve word problems easier and without as much difficulty as I
experienced.
Source:
Shellard, E.G. (2004). Helping Students Struggling with Math.
Principal, 84, 40-43.