Timely question for me. I have been digging into the options for this for a few weeks now and have just decided on a resource that you might want to think about:
Focus on Problem Solving (Continental Press)
– description as follows (I have looked at the samples and I can honestly say I think this book is the one that is going to make my kids “get it” on problem solving. Based on the description, it seems to tackle exactly the problem of a child seeing a word problem and not being able to break it down. My DS 10 is just like yours on not knowing which math application to take for which word problem….I feel for him, as I was the same at his age! Take a look below, I’ve copied the description…it’s a bit wordy…but if you google the series and then look at the sample you’ll see what the workbook is all about…)
DESCRIPTION: Former NCTM President Dr. Francis Fennell shows students how to use the four-step procedure to evaluate, interpret, and solve problems. Focus on Problem Solving helps students develop critical thinking and organizational skills while gaining a better grasp of word problems.
Compelling Real-life Applications Build Math and Critical Thinking Skills
•Students learn a four-step procedure – reading, planning, solving, and checking – that helps them tackle nearly any problem.
•Also emphasizes collecting, organizing, evaluating, and using information.
•Students are taught a variety of non-routine strategies in order to approach different kinds of problems: guessing and checking, working backwards, making lists and diagrams, finding patterns, using scale drawings, and thinking logically.
•Integrate math and writing! Written assignments help students think logically and communicate clearly.
•Students learn to interpret graphs, tables, plots, maps, surveys, and experiments.
•Teacher’s guides give background on problem-solving strategies and detailed suggestions for introducing, exploring, and expanding reasoning skills.
Hope this helps. Blessings, Angie
