Note Taking Guide: Make Sense of Problems and Persevere in Solving Them.
Read the Common Core State Standard Mathematical Practice #1 (page 6 of the CCSS document). Open and
review a copy of the Delaware Process Standard: Problem Solving (standard #5 in both the k-8 and 9-12
documents).
As you read and compare both versions of student expectations regarding the development of mathematical
problem solving, use the following comparison chart to guide your reading.
Place an X in the chart if the narrative in question (Mathematical Practice or Process Standard) reflects the
student problem solving expectation on the left hand side of the comparison organizer below. Add notes or a
direct quote as you make your comparison. One example has been done for you.
Students explain and interpret what the problem is asking
them to do.
NOTES: The
Common Core
Mathematical
Practice #1
X
Delaware Process
Standard #5Problem Solving
common core mathematical practice explicitly states this first step in the problem solving
process. The Delaware process standard is written broadly- Apply and adapt a variety of appropriate
strategies to solve problems- this “first step” is implied but never discretely written.
Students analyze what information is given and what the
constraints are.
NOTES:
Students notice and analyze relationships in the problem.
NOTES:
Students make conjectures regarding what the solution may
look like.
NOTES:
Students plan a solution pathway.
NOTES:
Note Taking Guide: Make Sense of Problems and Persevere in Solving Them.
Students use strategies such as solving similar problems or
simpler problems in order to gain insight into a solution
pathway.
NOTES:
Student use effective problem solving strategies to build
new mathematical knowledge.
NOTES:
Students solve problems that arise in mathematics and
other real world contexts.
NOTES:
Students check answers to problems by asking whether the
solution “makes sense”.
NOTES:
Students check answers by using multiple strategies.
NOTES:
Students understand strategies of others and see
connections between multiple strategies.
NOTES:
Note Taking Guide: Make Sense of Problems and Persevere in Solving Them.
Use this Generalization Diagram to organize the examples cited in the narrative for the Common Core
Standard Mathematical Practice #1. The narrative enhances the definition of problem solving by describing
what the mathematical problem solving process might look like at various age and proficiency levels. One
example has already been provided- use the space to list any other examples found in the reading:
Older students might transform algebraic expressions to get the information they need.