A Nugget for our Best Practices Treasure Chest

U.P.S. a problem solving strategy


Polya created the following tool to assist students with solving word problems in mathematics:


Step 1. Understand - What do I know? What do I need to do?

Step 2. Plan - What operation should I use?
What strategy or strategies should I use?

Step 3. Solve - Answer the question.

Step 4. Check - Check your work or solution.


The acronymn U.P.S. has been promoted at PS 95Q to make a real world connection. (U.P.S. is also used to describe a popular mailing company).