The 6S Problem Solving strategy – Polya 1945
SEARCH Read the problem, understand and find out what to do
SORT What information is important for solving this problem?
SKETCH Sketching or drawing the information can let you see how to solve the problem more
clearly.
SELECT What operations/actions are necessary for solving this problem?
SOLVE Use the actions/processes to solve the problem
SENSE Check that the solution makes sense against the problem
Search:
Read the problem
Discuss the meaning of the problem
Clarify any vocabulary/comprehension difficulties
Search to find the problem
Underline the problem that needs to be solved
Sort:
Discuss and decide what important information is given.
Have the students circle this important information
Discuss what information is included but is not needed to solve the problem
Cross out this information
Sketch:
Discuss how to visualise the problem. Demonstrate ways of quickly sketching the problem
Encourage students to do their own sketches.
Select:
Discuss what operations/actions /processes should be used in solving the problem
Look for key words that indicate the actions required to solve the problem
Highlight these action key words
Solve:
Reread the problem
Discuss what the problem required, the process used and whether the solution makes sense