ABSTRACT

This popular book shows students how to increase their power to analyze problems and comprehend what they read using the Think Aloud Pair Problem Solving [TAPPS] method. First it outlines and illustrates the method that good problem solvers use in attacking complex ideas. Then it provides practice in applying this method to a variety of comprehension and reasoning questions, presented in easy-to-follow steps. As students work through the book they will see a steady improvement in their analytical thinking skills and become smarter, more effective, and more confident problem solvers. Not only can using the TAPPS method assist students in achieving higher scores on tests commonly used for college and job selection, it teaches that problem solving can be fun and social, and that intelligence can be taught.

Changes in the Seventh Edition: New chapter on "open-ended" problem solving that includes inductive and deductive reasoning; extended recommendations to teachers, parents, and tutors about how to use TAPPS instructionally; Companion Website with PowerPoint slides, reading lists with links, and additional problems.

chapter 1|10 pages

Test Your Mind—See How It Works

chapter 2|10 pages

Errors in Reasoning

chapter 3|21 pages

Problem-Solving Methods

chapter 4|95 pages

Verbal Reasoning Problems

chapter 5|4 pages

Six Myths About Reading

chapter 6|13 pages

Analogies

chapter 7|15 pages

Writing Relationship Sentences

chapter 8|22 pages

How to Form Analogies

chapter 9|27 pages

Analysis of Trends and Patterns

chapter 11|93 pages

Solving Mathematical Word Problems

chapter 12|21 pages

Open-Ended Problem Solving

chapter 13|8 pages

The Post-Wasi Test