How students' most powerful tool in problem-solving is their voice

I have been teaching since 2007, and I am continually amazed by new insights that transform my teaching approach. Last year, a colleague and I enrolled in Scitech’s Lighthouse Maths Program. Did I know what it entailed? Not at all. Did I agree because my boss asked me to? Absolutely. To say I was pleasantly surprised by the experience would be an understatement.

My coach, Renee Zarb, posed a question to my Year 5/6 students about a decimal inequation. Initially, I assumed my top students would grasp it instantly while others might struggle. I was completely wrong! Students I expected to solve it quickly did not, while those who typically struggled flourished.

During a Powerful Problem-Solving Lesson, from an outsider’s perspective, it might seem like the teacher isn’t doing much. In reality, strategic planning, challenging tasks, and tailored questioning create an environment where students tackle problems in small, random groups using a large whiteboard and their most powerful problem-solving tool: their voice. The teacher anticipates potential problems and solutions, ready to address any misconceptions. Do we tell students what to do? No. We craft questions that lead them into cognitive conflict, where the ‘magic’ happens. Students engaged in this productive struggle are not discouraged; they persevere and become more determined. This safe, creative space allows them to thrive.

As educators, we are taught to scaffold, model, and guide students through the learning process. However, the most powerful aspect of this approach is to let them have a crack. Do not intervene too early or tell students what to do next. If they are genuinely struggling, provide an enabling prompt to get them moving, but then step back. This leads to epiphanies and rewarding breakthroughs, building resilience and enthusiasm for maths, and creating a generation of powerful problem solvers.

So, step back and let students have a crack.

Gelsa Dagostino – Lighthouse Maths Coach 2024

Lighthouse Maths is a year-long professional learning program delivered in partnership with Chevron Australia, which aims to build teachers’ skills and confidence by using a problem-solving approach to teaching maths.