Examines whether verbal problem-solving skills in a group of fourth graders would improve if they were specifically taught how to generate their own diagrams when solving word problems. Classifies textbook word problems into three general types and describes them: (1) tabular; (2) geometric; and (3) contingency diagraming. (YP)

Outlines the development of a lesson structured around four stages of problem-solving. Provides five problems and questions for understanding, getting started, and for extension in each of the problems. (YP)