Observations about fourth and fifth grade students’ strategies to solve non-routine problems

Abstract

In this study, some of the student works and observations collected from an experimental study carried out with fourth and fifth graders under the scope of a project called “Examination of Problem Solving Development of Elementary School Students” project∗∗ were presented. Experimental study lasted 18 lessons and students were asked total of 41 problems related to strategies of guess and check, draw a picture, look for a pattern, simplify the problem, make a systematic list and work backward. By using written and verbal
explanations, strategies that students put forth for these problems were revealed. Findings obtained from study shows that students can develop original strategies and they can build up positive attitude toward problem solving. Moreover, it was interesting to find out the similarity between answers of some of the students in this study and the answers reported in the book written by Herr and Johnson’s (2002).