Problem Solving Math Journals

At the beginning of the year, we talked about why we wanted to be better mathematicians.  The final conclusion of our discussion was that we needed to be able to solve problems.  To help us become better problem solvers, we solve LOTS of problems!  We use our math journals four times daily, and weekly solve a problem as a whole group.  Here is a glimpse at some of our problem solving:

At the beginning of each unit, I print out several problems from my math journals (available here on TpT) that fit with that unit.  I then put them into folders and gave a folder to each student.

 

The students then work on solving them as part of their independent work.  Occasionally we will go over them whole group if they are having problems or if I see interesting approaches to problem-solving that I want to share.

This week we worked on the following problem because we are working on rounding and estimating:

 

We read the problem out loud and then worked together to solve it.

 

Yes, they are wearing pajamas - it was spirit week at our school for our high school Homecoming celebration.  Our town is small and has only one high school, so the whole community really gets behind it which is fun!  Most of the businesses in town are decorated in honor of it:

 

(And now back to our regularly scheduled programming about problem solving! LOL!)

Here are a few samples of answers from my kiddos:

 

In our state, 4th graders start answering constructed response questions on the state tests for math, so I want them to be prepared!