In this lesson plan, the teacher uses multimedia to introduce Polya’s four-step problem-solving method. The video is shown to introduce the problems groups will attempt to solve. The activity focuses on higher-level thinking with teacher supports. Because of the nature of these problems, students will require scaffolding or have had at least 8th-grade mathematics.

The video is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pHXDlRWzGqs

Georgia Mathematics Standards

While the standards discuss problem-solving within each concept, it also notes the importance of flexibility in selecting mathematical strategies. By providing students with opportunities to discuss strategies relevant to different situations, students develop cognitive flexibility in strategy selection. Furthermore, problem-solving strategy selection addresses the standards for mathematical practice directly or indirectly:

MP.1 - Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

MP.2 - Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

MP.4 - Model with mathematics.

MP.5 - Use appropriate tools strategically.

MP.7 - Look for and make use of structure.

MP.8 - Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.