Improving Students ’ Story Problem Solving Abilities

In this action research study of my classroom of 8th grade mathematics students, I investigated if learning different problem solving strategies helped students successfully solve problems. I also investigated if students ’ knowledge of the topics involved in story problems had an impact on students ’ success rates. I discovered that students were more successful after learning different problem solving strategies and when given problems with which they have experience. I also discovered that students put forth a greater effort when they approach the story problem like a game, instead of just being another math problem that they have to solve. An unexpected result was that the students ’ degree of effort had a major impact on their success rate. As a result of this research, I plan to continue to focus on problem solving strategies in my classes. I also plan to improve my methods on getting students ’ full effort in class. Problem Solving 1 The purpose of my research is to improve students ' abilities solving story problems. I wanted the students to learn different strategies by which they can solve mos