Mathematical problem solving in a grade 2 classroom: a report of an internship

Abstract

This report describes the internship undertaken by the author, a high school mathematics teacher, in a Grade 2 class at Bishop Feild Elementary School in 1998. Much of this report is anecdotal in nature and details the investigations and explorations of the students as they engaged in mathematical problem solving. The children's mathematical learning through games, children's literature and manipulatives is considered in terms of the reforms proposed by the NCTM Standards documents (especially NCTM 1989). Connections between primary and high school problem solving strategies are made, with some suggestions for improvement at the high school level.