SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS' STRATEGIES FOR SOLVING MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS

The main purpose of this study was to examine sixth-grade students' problem solving strategies when they encountered with non-routine problems in class. The purposeful sampling method was used to select the students. Eight non-routine problems were prepared by the researchers, then administered to 15 sixth grade students (12 years old) who were selected from a centrally located school in a city on the north coast of the Black Sea in Turkey. The problems were prepared through the review of literature and other mathematical teaching resources, including different problem solving strategies. According to the results, students used Guess and Check, Draw a Model/ Diagram and Write an Equation strategies in solving the problems. Several suggestions regarding the teaching and learning of mathematical problem solving and curriculum design can be made.