ABSTRACT
All state standards use some type of schema-based framework for story problems. Many educators did not learn word problems from this framework and need to take the time to understand them so that they can better teach them. One of the most informative professional development books to teach schema-based problem solving is Children's Mathematics: Cognitively Guided Instruction. Students should learn to understand the problem types and what they are actually discussing rather than "key word" tricks. Many state standards somewhat follow the trajectory; however, teachers tend to start with whatever standards are in their grade. Students should understand whether or not they are looking for the amount in each group or if they are looking for the amount of groups. Students should focus on how many steps the problem involves so that they can prepare for that in the planning and double-check all the parts in the end.
