How to promote text comprehension with pupils of grades 1–6 when teaching to solve combinatorial problems
How to promote text comprehension with pupils of grades 1–6 when teaching to solve combinatorial problems

Summary/Abstract: It is essential to train pupils in working with diverse information resources and makinguse of various strategies for solving mathematical problems. To determine the probability of variousevents, knowledge of the strategies for solving combinatorial problems as well as adequate readingcompetence are essential.Research problem– how to promote text comprehension of pupils of Grades 1–6 when teachingto solve combinatorial problems in the Latvia. Research questions – Which mathematical problemsare difficult for pupils in national diagnostic tests in Grades 3 and 6? What is the teachers’ opinionabout pupils’ ability to solve mathematical word problems (focus on pupils in Grades 1 to 6)?What is the teachers’ opinion about the use of strategies for solving problems with elements ofcombinatorics?To answer the research questions, an evaluative case study design was created. Theauthors conducted analysis of relevant educational documents, performed content analysis ofcombinatorial problems which pupils in Grades 1–6 have to master, carried out a survey of 130primary school teachers, analyzed the results of national diagnostic tests of Grade 3 and Grade 6(2014–2015) in mathematics and in the Latvian language and performed observation of problemsolving strategies used in primary school.This paper examines some typical primary school pupils’ difficulties in solving combinatorialproblems. Suggestions are proposed for drafting relevant methodological recommendations forteachers for teaching to solve non-standard problems.

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