Problem Solving Strategies: Crossing the River with Dogs and Other Mathematical Adventures [Hardcover]

Ted Herr (Author), Ken Johnson (Author), Dan Piraro (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1559533706 | ISBN-13: 978-1559533706 | Publication Date: 2001 | Edition: 2nd

Problem Solving Strategies Crossing the River with Dogs and Other Mathematical Adventures Why Teach a Course in Problem Solving? The NCTM Principles andStandards state that problem solving should be integrated throughout all courses and grade levels. For example, guess-and-check is a natural strategy to apply in algebra. Advanced math students often use finite differences to study functions and sequences. And drawing a diagram and using physical representations are commonly employed strategies in many contexts. However, many students never encounter valuable strategies such as matrix logic or unit analysis. And in content-crowded math classes, few students get the concentrated practice or time necessary to fully develop their problem-solving skills. By taking a semester course in problem solving, students can master a multitude of strategies while developing confidence in their problem-solving abilities. Your students will be better prepared to meet the challenges of school and life by taking this course.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 558 pages
• Publisher: Key Curriculum Press; 2nd edition (2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559533706
• ISBN-13: 978-1559533706
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Problem Solving Strategies: Crossing the River with Dogs an, January 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Problem Solving Strategies: Crossing the River With Dogs and Other Mathematical Adventures (Hardcover)

I had to purchase this book for a Class I was taking at Sam Houston State University. It is an excellent book to help learn problem solving strategies. Although, I am an elementary education major with a math specialization and had to take this class, I would recommend this book to anyone who is planning to teach grades 1 through 12. This book was designed for middle school grades, but could be adapted to any grade level. Problem solving is so important in mathematics.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wit and Wisdom in a Math Book? Imposimous!, March 7, 2001

By 

Sarah Roth - See all my reviews

This review is from: Problem Solving Strategies: Crossing the River With Dogs and Other Mathematical Adventures (Hardcover)

Six years ago I actually took Problem Solving from Ken Johnson, one of the authors, at Sierra College. Problem solving became a whole new and exciting recreation from then on. I would have to credit that miracle to the class's amazing teacher and the book he wrote. I have had hundreds of teachers in my life, and am a teacher myself, yet I have never met any teacher that was as gifted as Ken Johnson. His talent is clearly evident in his written work as well. (PS, how many people would it take to give this book 396 thumbs up?)

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for problem solvers -- good and bad, January 23, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Problem Solving Strategies: Crossing the River With Dogs and Other Mathematical Adventures (Hardcover)

This book taught me one thing I didn't know (finite differences -a lot less strain on me to find formulas and equations) and gave me challenging problems.