Learning to Solve Problems in the 2^nd Grade of Elementary School

Abstract

This paper aims to understand how 2^nd grade students solve problems. We present an overview about the importance of problem solving in the learning of Mathematics, what is understood as a problem, the phases of problem solving and the main problem-solving strategies. The research was developed in a 2^nd grade class of a school situated in Portugal on the outskirts of a city. The research that underlies this paper follows a qualitative methodology. Data collection was carried out by participant observation in a 2^nd grade class and document collection about students' problem solving. This article analyses Daniel problem-solving that includes: the characterization of his strategies, the difficulties that he reveals and the phases of problem solving that he goes through. The results show that Daniel uses different strategies supported by iconic and symbolic representations. He has some difficulties related with the interpretation of the problem, the use of mathematical content and the use of work backward strategy. It is not always possible to understand if Daniel went through all the phases of problem solving.

Keywords:
Problem-Solving in a 2^nd grade class; Problem-Solving Strategies; Phases of Problem-Solving; Difficulties of Students in Problem-Solving