To understand and use the fundamental problem-solving element, Request-Response-Result

PROCEDURE:

(1) Make as many copies of image below as there are
      groups in your class.
(2) Cut the individual problem solution steps around
      their borders.
(3) Place each set of solution steps in a glass on the
      students' tables.
(4) Have students draw slips from the glass and order
      the successive steps of the problem solutions using
      Request and Response as a guide to decisions.

This problem is the solution to all problems. The solution structure shown will be present one or more times in any problem. Any number of problems can be created by changing the words and rearranging the sentences. To obtain real life problems use real life words such as grocery store, lumber yard, money, planks, miles, movies, space related words, amusement park components and so forth. Different problems only differ in the words and numbers used. The words change, the numbers change and the symbols change but the problem solving process remains the same.

The above activity emphasizes the vertical flow of a problem solution. By preparing a second set of solution steps with the left and right border cut off of the strips of paper, the clue to left-right positioning of the steps is removed.

This provides an activity that emphasizes both the vertical structure of a solution and the left-right structure. Using this, the students' comfort with appropriate indentation can be addressed. The indentation emphasizes the logical position of the a step. It is the same thing, logically, as the indentations used in tables of content and indexes. It organizes the thinking. Some student finds it difficult to think in an organized manner. Other problem solving methods are available that better suit the needs of such students.

Various games can be designed using the solution strips. A particularly simple one is to mix the strips of several problems together and pass out equal number of strips to each student. The students then play their strips whenever possible. This first one to run out of strips wins. Many variations are possible.

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A SureMath solution. Copyright 1998, Howard C. McAllister.