STAAR Connections

What is the purpose of Math STAAR Connections distributed spiraled practice?

• To provide opportunities for mini lessons reviewing or previewing key skills

• To complete problems quickly

• To promote creative problem solving strategies

• To focus on finding accurate answers

What does the teacher focus on during the 6 minutes of problem solving?

• Look for creative strategies emerging and plan which pairs will share

• Share answers to problems as students complete them

• Model strategies for solving the problem

• Monitor and question students

• Praise desired behavior

Which of the following is STAAR Connections NOT focused on facilitating?

• Productive struggle

• Use of word problem strategies such as CUBES in which students must underline or circle specific information

• Exposure to a variety of problems and strategies

• Development of confidence and stamina in students

What is the key follow-up question students should ask after debriefing?

• Who solved the problem correctly?

• What is the main math idea in this problem?

• What is the correct answer to this problem?

• Who will offer a different strategy?

What should be the focus of the teacher's one-minute follow-up?

• Giving individual feedback to each student

• Summarizing the various strategies that emerged while redirecting incorrect strategies

• Providing correct solutions to all problems

• Providing a mini lesson on skills students struggled with

Students must ALWAYS move through all 4 steps of the problem solving process (1. Main Math Idea, 2. Supporting Information, 3. Plan/Strategy/Approach, 4. Solution) for each problem.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

All students should be thinking through the first 3 components of the problem solving process, but there may be some problems where you choose not to focus on the solution step. You might not cover step 4 if you are trying to focus more on the process of problem solving rather than the answer, or if it's on a skill you will still be addressing further in later instruction.