When students were asked to solve independently, things quickly unraveled. Behaviors surfaced, lessons derailed, and reliance on the teacher increased. This wasn’t a lack of effort — it was a lack of confidence, a common barrier in developing effective math problem solvers.
After the lesson ended, one question lingered: Do they actually understand the math? Students had learned how to watch and copy, not how to reason. This realization exposed the disconnect between effort and outcome and highlighted what was missing in math problem solving instruction.
🎧 Listen, Reflect, and Take the Next Step
If this classroom moment feels familiar, this episode is for you.
👉 Listen to Episode 196 to hear how one moment reshaped math problem solving instruction.
⭐ Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review to help other educators find these conversations.
📣 Share this episode with a colleague who’s working to build confident, capable math problem solvers.
Because strong math problem solving starts when students are given space to think. 💛
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