Solving Mathematics Word Problems through Reflection

Abstract

This paper offers a model for mathematics word problem solving. This integrated model consists of 4 main steps namely Entry, Analyze, Attack and Review. The author will demonstrate how the reflection in the step of “Analyze” will help the pupils to make judgment on their chosen mathematical operations for solving the non-routine mathematics word problem. We stress that in order to be successful in mathematics word problem solving, we need to reflect on three perspectives namely personal experiences, meanings of mathematical operations or symbols and the problem itself. We conjecture that these three perspectives are the main factors for pupils to be able to solve the mathematics word problem correctly. In this study, nine Year 6 pupils were involved. They are required to answer five mathematics word problems in a task then a follow-up interview will be conducted on a voluntary basis in order to explore why they have solved those problems in a particular way. Keywords: