This study addressed predictors of the development of word problem solving (WPS) across the intermediate grades. At beginning of 3rd grade, 4 cohorts of students (N = 261) were measured on computation, language, nonverbal reasoning skills, and attentive behavior and were assessed 4 times from beginning of 3rd through end of 5th grade on 2 measures…

A set of 58 problems that may be solved by using lists is presented. This set is part of the Mathematical Problem Solving Project. The problems are coded for three levels of difficulty and are designed for students in the intermediate grades. Answers are provided. (MP)

A 15-item story problem test was written at three readability levels (below grade 4, grades 4-6, above grade 6) by two methods (vocabulary control and sentence control). Six test forms were administered to 1158 children in grades 3-6. Readability level had no effect on problem difficulty. (Author/MNS)

Geared to intermediate-grade classroom teachers, a general framework for solving problems is promoted that has the following steps: (1) Get to know the problem, (2) Choose what to do, (3) Do it, and (4) Look back. Ways of using the framework and suggestions for problem-solving resources are included. (MP)

In the study, 110 fifth and sixth grade children of both gifted and average ability levels confirmed that they are capable of reflecting on future occurrences, of assessing the probability of positive or negative outcomes, and of identifying implications of those future occurrences. (Author/SBH)

A study examined the combined effects of class wide instruction on performance assessment tasks and problem solving instruction in ad hoc tutoring in mathematics on six students with learning disabilities. The two interventions led to demonstrable differences over time when compared to students who did not receive this kind of instruction.…

Upper elementary students are the focus of this paper, intended to present a few studies that have been done in the past five years that are related to two aspects of problem solving: strategies used by the problem solver and tasks used in studying problem solving. The review is not intended to be exhaustive, but is designed to present examples of…

Some important issues related to teaching problem solving in the elementary grades are addressed, with particular emphasis on the intermediate grades. Presents one point of view and some specific questions often raised by teachers who wish to incorporate problem solving into the mathematics program. (MP)

Investigated was the presence and role of cue words in word problems found in three mathematics textbooks series. The methodology and results of the study are presented. Lists of cue words for grades 3-6 are provided. (CW)

Presents a problem for students in grades 4-6 on Venn diagrams with or without manipulatives. Lists questions for teachers to reflect upon during the problem-solving process concerning student understanding of problems, problem-solving strategies, assessment, and reasoning skills. (ASK)

Indicates that students who were taught by direct instruction to use specific steps in working through analogy problems significantly improved in their ability to solve analogies. (FL)

Discusses difficulties students with hearing impairments have in math computation and in solving problems with verbal cues. Programs and texts are described that teach math visually and kinesthetically and encourage students to find different approaches to the same problem. An illustration of a mathematical concept is included. (CR)

Compared the impact of robotics (computer-powered manipulative) to a battery-powered manipulative (novelty control) and traditionally taught science class on science achievement and problem solving of fourth through sixth graders. Found that the robotics group had higher scores on programming logic-problem solving than did the novelty control…

This paper documents the dynamics of the social interactions within two small groups of sixth grade students as they solved problems and attempted to understand the concepts related to the nature of matter and molecular theory. Similarities and differences of social interactions between the two groups are compared, and interpretations presented…

This document is 7th in the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education monograph series. The mathematical performance of (n=250) U.S. 6th-grade students from both private and public schools and (n=425) Chinese 6th-graders from both key and common schools was examined on multiple-choice tasks assessing computation and simple problem solving, and…