Abstract: This article refers to the fundamental matters of teaching skills at math word problem solving in the elementary grade. The author proposed a number of measures to teach skill at math word problem solving in the 1st grade.
Keywords: children, Uzbekistan, problem-solving skill, to teach the problem-solving skill.
Elementary is the first stage of the education system in Uzbekistan, forming the basis for the higher grades.
Mathematics is a very important especially in the life and the science. It contributes to educate the perfect, dynamic and creative people for the science and technology development in the new innovative age. Math teaching in elementary grade and math word problem solving in the 1st grade is to help children to apply math learning, to practice math skills under the diverse and various requirements. Children have opportunities to learn and develop brainstorm, reasoning skills and practice for being qualified.
In the 1st grade, math word problem solving is not too hard in term of getting calculation and answer. In term of planning the way to solve the problem, it is very difficult to teach children on finding the good and appropriate answer. Within this article, we would like to propose a number of measures to teach skills at math word problem solving in the 1st grade to help children to overcome difficulties in math problem.
- To teach skill at problem-solving in the 1st grade
1.1. Problem-solving skill “Problem-solving skills include skills of apply mathematical knowledge to solve math problems (by inference rules and proof methods)” [4] covering: knowledge, method and approach. It should be noted that depending on the learned math, children is required to practice various skills in term of: Math study, math in other subjects, and in life as well.
1.2. To teach the problem-solving skill in the 1st grade The teachers should pay attention to the following matters:
+ Problem understanding.
+ Used math language.
+ The ability to read.
The teachers should study and well understand the teaching methods to choose, categorize, and apply the appropriate and effective methods. They must also keep learning and improving their understanding of math word problem solving, not just solving problem in the teacher book but always having sense of collecting, creating, strengthening the problem-solving skills among at “Pupil-focus”.
- The current teaching the problem solving skills in the 1st grade
2.1. The context
The math teaching in elementary grade is currently paid much attention by the Ministry of Education and Training of Uzbekistan , schools, teachers and parents. So the strategy of math skill teaching for the 1st grade is placed on top priority. And it is found that:
- a) It was the high ratio of being bad at Math for the previous years.
- b) Children do not realize the various forms of exercises.
- c) Children can not make practice by them self but with the teacher help.
- d) Children can not study in team, support and help each other in discussion.
- e) Children can not make their own test of study and practice.
- f) Children are still satisfied at their work, with the already given way.
2.2. The current teaching the problem-solving skills in the 1st grade
The learning forms are monotonous. Meanwhile the good pupils can not show their strength and capacity, the not good ones are likely lack of knowledge, do not actively learn, even rely on the teacher guidance.
Teachers do not give effective guidance on finding the ways but often show the answers for time saving.
Teachers are not really dynamic, creative but dependent on the available documents. Pupils are not interested in math learning.
As the teachers pay less attention on training skills of understanding, analyzing the problem, pupils are not really aware of problem solving approach.
Teachers just request pupils to solve specific problems without extension, time for any similar mathematical problems developed and solved by pupils themselves.
As the teachers provide pupils few of math languages, it was difficult for pupils to identify the data and to develop the similar problems in life.
Teachers use materials (textbooks, teacher books, lectures,) in the rigid manner, without creative selection.
Due to children starting with problem solving (explanation, calculations, answer,) their thinking is mainly intuitive. On the other hand, at this stage, pupils can not fluently read and write. Even reading the questions many times, some pupils can not understand the problem. So pupils did wrong….
As solving math problem, pupils are still passive. They just solve the problem in the mechanical manner at the request of teacher. Pupils just solve the specific problems. They do not know how find the common between various problems. Therefore pupils have difficulty in identifying the common forms.
Due to the low ability of problem analyzing, pupils are stymied in problems of indirect data. Without the routine of checking, pupils get low marks.
Math word problem solving can help pupils to apply math to life. The math word problems are important in connecting moths to the real life. It is a good foundation for the developing the mathematical thinking. Let pupils be happy with solving math problems in life by mathematical tools.
Mukhammadiyeva Dilshoda daughter of Joraqul was born on June 4 , 2003 in the city of Jizzakh , Jizzakh region of the Republic Uzbekistan . Between 2010 and 2021, she studied at the 11th general secondary school of the Jizzakh city and graduated with excellent grades . In 2021, she entered the Jizzakh State Pedagogical University named after Abdulla Qadiri at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics on the basis of the 1st place state grant . On April 23-28 , 2023 , she won the 3rd place bronze medal at the OMOUS-2023 International Mathematics Olympiad held in Ashgabat , Turkmenistan . She also participated in the 2nd International Mathematics Olympiad held in Nukus on October 23-29 , 2023 . In 2023 , she became the owner of the University scholarship named after “Ne’mat Alimov”. In life , she is also involved in volleyball and checkers.
Suleiman Mbatiah 
James Wakahiu