Education Technology


Problem-Solving Steps

Activity Overview

Students learn the four steps of problem solving: Understanding the problem, making a plan, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the results. This activity helps students develop skills to solve problems.

Before the Activity

  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 1 - 8 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the activity procedures:

  • Give each group one problem card and one set of problem-solving steps


  • Understand the Problem
  • Read the problem aloud
  • Cross out extra information that is not needed
  • Understand all the words
  • Write the problem in other words


  • Make a Plan
  • Identify which strategy from the strategies card can help solve the problem
  • List the steps to solve the problem
  • Identify other information that is needed to solve the problem


  • Carry out the Plan
  • Follow the steps to solve the problem


  • Evaluate the Results
  • Determine if there is more than one right answer
  • Examine all answers and steps used
  • Share the presentation with the class
  • After the Activity

  • Review student results
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary