Managing Impulsivity Using a Problem-Solving Model

What does managing impulsivity look like in different subject areas?

The habit of managing impulsivity is often lumped in with the classroom management model,
but this habit can manifest in several ways depending on the subject area. For example, like
when cooking taking time to read the recipe, prepare equipment and collect ingredients, and read
the recipe again before beginning (Costa, 2009). These same steps can be applied to problem
solving in mathematics. A mathematician takes time to read the problem and find out what the
question is asking, identifies strategies for solving, reread to ensure understanding. The Problem-
Solving Model (Poyla, 1957) uses 4 principles encourage strategic thinking; analyze information,
formulate a plan, solve, and justify. The purpose of this problem-solving practice is to assist
students in developing the necessary skills to be strategic thinkers. This model requires students
to stop, think, and take their time before doing a task (Costa, 2009, p. 183)

The teacher will assign students a problem. Students will then implement the four-step problem
solving model.

1. First read the problem thoroughly. And ask yourself the following questions:
Do you understand all the words used in stating the problem?
What are you asked to find or show?
Can you restate the problem in your own words?
Can you think of a picture or diagram that might help you understand the problem?
Is there enough information to enable you to find a solution?

2. Choosing an appropriate strategy to solve many the problem. (students should be provided a
short list of possible problem solving strategies. Here is a brief list of popular strategies.)
Act it out
Choose an operation
Draw a picture
Guess and Check
Look for a pattern
Make a chart or table
Make an organized list
Use logical reasoning
Work backwards

3. Execute the selected strategy. Students must show all work including calculations done
using a calculator.
Managing Impulsivity Using a Problem-Solving Model

4. Finally, students must check and justify their work. (Student must not only verify their
response but provide a written explanation of their answer.)

Following the initial implementation of this problem-solving model students can be asked the
following questions:

1. How was this problem-solving model helpful?

2. How was this problem-solving model challenging?
3. How do you think this problem-solving strategy relates to managing impulsivity?