* Allow time for students to figure it out for themselves.
* Encourage students to do the talking and thinking rather than doing it for them.
I always wondered, how teachers inquire students on Math lessons. After reading this topic and observing the classroom, I could see that giving students time to figure out the Math problem is basically giving them the opportunity to find what is known, what is unknown in the problem and connecting it from their previous knowledge. It also provides the opportunity for teachers to assess students knowledge base. Once the students are engaged and involved in exploring the problem, the teacher can better assist them by observing, listening, questioning and teaching the targeted instruction. Inquiry teachers can also encourage students to do the talking and thinking rather than doing it by themselves. The book also suggest to reduce the "hand-up conversation". Strategies like "Think-pair-share" and group projects involves active communication and conversation of thinking and ideas.
Last week I received an opportunity to engage students in math problem solving. I used the strategies what is suggested in this book. After giving the problem, I gave students some time to figure out for themselves. It was wonderful to hear their imagination and their thinking process. Each student had a unique idea to solve the same problem. Some used very mathematical terms while others connected the problem from their daily life activities. After talking and thinking in pair and as a group, we decided to make posters to show their thinking.
