Daily Routines to Jump-Start Problem Solving, Grades K-8

by John J. SanGiovanni

Overview

Finally! A book that helps solve the problem of teaching problem solving!

Learning to be a problem solver is hard. Teaching students how to be problem solvers themselves can be even harder. Some students may learn to mimic procedures to come up with correct answers, but are they really learning to solve problems? To become independent problem solvers, students need to practice exploring, tinkering, and, most important, thinking!!

The bite-size routines in this guide are perfect for teachers looking for the interesting, engaging, and doable practice students need to become problem-solving masters. These flexible, modifiable bursts of quality practice are designed to get students to look at problems at different ways, sparking discussion, making connections, and boosting mathematics achievement. This collection addresses the common challenges students and teachers face when learning to problem solve by offering guidance on

• Developing students’ mathematical reasoning and conceptual understanding
• Building students’ skills with various problem-solving strategies
• Nurturing mathematical confidence and improving identity and agency

Fortified with standards for math practices and processes, the ideas in this guide develop the reasoning and critical-thinking skills needed to become independent problem-solvers for life!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781071888261
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	04/26/2023
Series:	Corwin Mathematics Series
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

John J. San Giovanni is a mathematics coordinator in Howard County, Maryland. There, he leads mathematics curriculum development, digital learning, assessment, and professional development. John is passionate about growing new mathematics leaders in the district and through Mc Daniel College. In addition to the Figuring Out Fluency series, some of his many Corwin books include Daily Routines to Jump-Start Problem Solving, Grades K–8; Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Elementary Math; the Daily Routines to Jump-Start Math series; and Productive Math Struggle: A 6-Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance. John is a national mathematics curriculum and professional learning consultant who also speaks frequently at national conferences and institutes. He is active in state and national professional organizations, recently serving on the board of directors for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and on the board of directors for NCSM.

Table of Contents

Part I: Why Jump-Start Routines for Problem Solving?
Part II: Jump-Start Routines for Problem Solving
I Would Say
3Qs
Asked and Answered
What’s the Question?
Same Data, Different Question
How Do You…?
Same and Different
What’s the Sitch?
They Did What?
This Number, That Number
Imagine That
Math the Equation
Another Question
TMI
It Can’t Be
Is It Reasonable?
Sticky Patterns
Lots and Lots
The Swap
Part III: Where to Go Next

Editorial Reviews

I have been using resources from John J. San Giovanni since 2018! His strategies have helped propel
thinking and student engagement in my classroom as well as classrooms across my district. His
activities and routines have increased students’ enjoyment of mathematics concepts, which has led to
higher scores across the district.

Milton Leathers

San Giovanni does an excellent job empowering teachers to bridge the gap between some of their favorite
math routines and problem solving. He provides a roadmap that will walk alongside teachers as they
look to engage students and improve thinking beyond the first 15 minutes of math class.

Graham Fletcher

The routines in this book are easy to follow and help set the stage to spark student engagement and
discourse in any math class. As a math coach, I am always looking for ways to support teachers in helping
students to be better thinkers and to reason with math, and these quick bursts of quality practice are an
amazing resource. The graphic organizers provided to support the routines help ensure all students have an
entry point to problem solving.

Cortni Muir

Teachers often say, “My students can solve math equations, but not word problems.” With San Giovanni’s
Daily Routines to Jump-Start Problem Solving, teachers can ensure students develop the confidence
to solve word problems without using hazardous tricks and gimmicks. Students will be encouraged
to think about the mathematics behind the problem. The ideas in this book should be part of every
mathematics class.

Lorie Huff

John J. San Giovanni has written yet another masterful book on routines focused on problem solving.
My mentor once told me the way you get better at solving math problems is making sense and
solving more math problems. Many students typically shy away from problem solving, yet in this book
San Giovanni has developed culturally relevant problems students can engage in to help build their
problem solving skills. He has brilliantly put together a book of problem-solving routines to help all
students be more successful. If we want equitable mathematics classrooms, ALL students must be
engaged in daily problem solving and Daily Routines to Jump-Start Problem Solving is a resource to
ensure that!

Georgina Rivera

Instead of “cookbook” problem-solving prompts, San Giovanni provides teachers with step-by-step guidance
on implementing problem solving through the use of classroom-ready instructional routines that allow
students to engage in rich problem-solving experiences and promote reasoning. Additionally, this book
encourages productive discourse, facilitates “just in time” scaffolds, and supports existing high-quality
curriculum materials.

Latrenda Knighten

Problem solving has long been a challenge for students—until now! This book provides teachers with
a bank of routines to engage students in thinking, reasoning, and sense making. Everything you need
to teach students to be effective problem solvers is in your hands right now!

Marissa Walsh

Daily Routines to Jump-Start Problem Solving is truly a game changer for K–8 educators. Every problemsolving
situation embodies critical thinking and comprehension, thus building student self-efficacy.
San Giovanni provides practical tools and support to breathe new life into math language routines,
promoting equitable problem solving for all students. Routines showcased in this book allow students to
take the driver’s seat as they engage in real-world problem solving.

Kimberly K. Jones

As math educators and leaders, we have all been waiting for a book like this to aid in facilitating rich
discussions centered on problem-solving, all in the first few minutes of daily instruction! San Giovanni
provides 20 research-based strategies to help students become problem-posers and problem-solvers while
building their confidence, agency, and identity. This book is truly a gift to the math education community.

Andrea Wood

Daily Routines to Jump-Start for Problem Solving offers a plethora of problem-solving routines to promote
reasoning and critical thinking skills. A resource for administrators, instructional coaches, and math teachers,
each protocol has a “Something to Think About” section, images and examples that encourage productive
discussions, and variations of each routine to meet all students’ needs.

Gali Donahue

Daily Routines to Jump-Start Problem Solving should be on every elementary mathematics teacher’s
desk! These routines include practical approaches that will support all students in developing problem solving
strategies and skills. There is also substantial background information for teachers to deepen
their own pedagogical understanding of how to further student success in approaching and solving
problems.

Linda Gojak

San Giovanni shares a creative collection of quick, high-quality practice opportunities that will help
students sharpen their problem-solving skills. Teachers have been longing for purposeful activities like
these to engage their students in thinking and sense-making as they strive to develop confident problem
solvers in mathematics. This book will become one of teachers’ best-loved instructional resources!

Susie Katt