John J. SanGiovanni is a mathematics coordinator in Howard County, Maryland. There, he leads mathematics curriculum development, digital learning, assessment, and professional development. John is an adjunct professor and coordinator of the Elementary Mathematics Instructional Leadership graduate program at McDaniel College. In addition to this Figuring Out Fluency series, some of his many Corwin books include Daily Routines to Jump-Start Problem Solving, Grades K-8, Answers to Your Biggest Questions about Teaching Elementary Math, the Daily Routines to Jump-Start Math series, and Productive Math Struggle: A 6-Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance. John is a national mathematics curriculum and professional learning consultant who also speaks frequently at national conferences and institutes. He is active in state and national professional organizations, recently serving on the board of directors for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and currently on the board of directors for the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM).

Finally! A book that helps solve the problem of teaching problem solving!

Learning to be a problem solver is hard. Teaching students how to be problem solvers themselves can be even harder. Some students may learn to mimic procedures to come up with correct answers, but are they really learning to solve problems? To become independent problem solvers, students need to practice exploring, tinkering, and, most important, thinking!!

The bite-size routines in this guide are perfect for teachers looking for the interesting, engaging, and doable practice students need to become problem-solving masters. These flexible, modifiable bursts of quality practice are designed to get students to look at problems at different ways, sparking discussion, making connections, and boosting mathematics achievement. This collection addresses the common challenges students and teachers face when learning to problem solve by offering guidance on

• Developing students' mathematical reasoning and conceptual understanding


• Building students' skills with various problem-solving strategies


• Nurturing mathematical confidence and improving identity and agency

Fortified with standards for math practices and processes, the ideas in this guide develop the reasoning and critical-thinking skills needed to become independent problem-solvers for life!

Part I: Why Jump-Start Routines for Problem Solving?
Part II: Jump-Start Routines for Problem Solving
I Would Say
3Qs
Asked and Answered
What's the Question?
Same Data, Different Question
How Do You...?
Same and Different
What's the Sitch?
They Did What?
This Number, That Number
Imagine That
Math the Equation
Another Question
TMI
It Can't Be
Is It Reasonable?
Sticky Patterns
Lots and Lots
The Swap
Part III: Where to Go Next