Problem solving has long been a challenge for students—until now! This book provides teachers with a bank of routines to engage students in thinking, reasoning, and sense making. Everything you need to teach students to be effective problem solvers is in your hands right now!

Marissa Walsh, Blue Springs School District

John J. SanGiovanni has written yet another masterful book on routines focused on problem solving. My mentor once told me the way you get better at solving math problems is making sense and solving more math problems. Many students typically shy away from problem solving, yet in this book SanGiovanni has developed culturally relevant problems students can engage in to help build their problem solving skills. He has brilliantly put together a book of problem-solving routines to help all students be more successful. If we want equitable mathematics classrooms, ALL students must be engaged in daily problem solving and Daily Routines to Jump-Start Problem Solving is a resource to ensure that!

Georgina Rivera, Charter Oak International Academy, NCSM

I have been using resources from John J. SanGiovanni since 2018! His strategies have helped propel thinking and student engagement in my classroom as well as classrooms across my district. His activities and routines have increased students’ enjoyment of mathematics concepts, which has led to higher scores across the district.

Milton Leathers, Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144

Teachers often say, “My students can solve math equations, but not word problems.” With SanGiovanni’s Daily Routines to Jump-Start Problem Solving, teachers can ensure students develop the confidence to solve word problems without using hazardous tricks and gimmicks. Students will be encouraged to think about the mathematics behind the problem. The ideas in this book should be part of every mathematics class.

Lorie Huff

Instead of “cookbook” problem-solving prompts, SanGiovanni provides teachers with step-by-step guidance on implementing problem solving through the use of classroom-ready instructional routines that allow students to engage in rich problem-solving experiences and promote reasoning. Additionally, this book encourages productive discourse, facilitates “just in time” scaffolds, and supports existing high-quality curriculum materials.

Latrenda Knighten

The routines in this book are easy to follow and help set the stage to spark student engagement and discourse in any math class. As a math coach, I am always looking for ways to support teachers in helping students to be better thinkers and to reason with math, and these quick bursts of quality practice are an amazing resource. The graphic organizers provided to support the routines help ensure all students have an entry point to problem solving.

Cortni Muir, New Milford Public Schools, Associated Teacher of Mathematics in Connecticut (ATOMIC)

Daily Routines to Jump-Start for Problem Solving offers a plethora of problem-solving routines to promote reasoning and critical thinking skills. A resource for administrators, instructional coaches, and math teachers, each protocol has a “Something to Think About” section, images and examples that encourage productive discussions, and variations of each routine to meet all students’ needs.

Gali Donahue, Academy of Catholic Educators

Daily Routines to Jump-Start Problem Solving is truly a game changer for K–8 educators. Every problemsolving situation embodies critical thinking and comprehension, thus building student self-efficacy. SanGiovanni provides practical tools and support to breathe new life into math language routines, promoting equitable problem solving for all students. Routines showcased in this book allow students to take the driver’s seat as they engage in real-world problem solving.

Kimberly K. Jones, Region 10 Educational Service Center

As math educators and leaders, we have all been waiting for a book like this to aid in facilitating rich discussions centered on problem-solving, all in the first few minutes of daily instruction! SanGiovanni provides 20 research-based strategies to help students become problem-posers and problem-solvers while building their confidence, agency, and identity. This book is truly a gift to the math education community.

Andrea Wood, Mid-Del Schools

SanGiovanni shares a creative collection of quick, high-quality practice opportunities that will help students sharpen their problem-solving skills. Teachers have been longing for purposeful activities like these to engage their students in thinking and sense-making as they strive to develop confident problem solvers in mathematics. This book will become one of teachers’ best-loved instructional resources!

Susie Katt, Lincoln Public Schools

Daily Routines to Jump-Start Problem Solving should be on every elementary mathematics teacher’s desk! These routines include practical approaches that will support all students in developing problem solving strategies and skills. There is also substantial background information for teachers to deepen their own pedagogical understanding of how to further student success in approaching and solving problems.

Linda Gojak, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

SanGiovanni does an excellent job empowering teachers to bridge the gap between some of their favorite math routines and problem solving. He provides a roadmap that will walk alongside teachers as they look to engage students and improve thinking beyond the first 15 minutes of math class.

Graham Fletcher