Polya questioning
Also known as: Polya problem-solving, 4-step problem solving
Polya questions take students through the following four steps:
1. Understand the problem
2. Devise a plan
3. Carry out the plan
4. Look back
The questions can be used to help students solve word problems independently, but are most useful when framed as a general problem-solving technique. With practice, students will learn how to analyse a problem, think of several possible solutions, try them out and evaluate the results. Because Pólya was a mathematician, his work focuses on teaching mathematical problem-solving, but his technique is useful for problems across all domains.
ICT templates
Make sure you are logged into your Microsoft account (new window) or Google account (new window) before accessing these templates. For more support refer to Getting started with technology (new window).
| Office 365 | Google G Suite |
|---|---|
| PowerPoint - Polya questioning (new window) | Slides - Polya questioning (new window) |
How to use with ICT
Use shared documents with prompting questions as part of whole-class or small-group work. Present word problem to get students to pose their own questions, then use Polya questioning to guide them through answering those questions. Students could work on the first two steps in class, then finish the problem at home.
Single computer
Project a Polya questioning document for the whole class to work through together. When introducing the technique, perhaps work through as a class. As students become more familiar, they could work individually or in small groups to answer the questions then discuss their answers.
ICT tools
External resources
| Title | Link | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Effects of Polya Questioning Instruction for Geometry Reasoning in Junior High School | Read about research into Polya questioning (new window) | A paper on using Polya questioning to teach geometry to year 7/8 students and comparing outcomes to traditional teaching methods. |
| Polya's Four-Step Problem-Solving Process by Maria Airth | Watch a video on Polya questioning (new window) | This video on study.com outlines the use of the Polya problem-solving process in primary school maths. |
| Primary Problem Solving Poster by Donna Boucher | A poster that outlines the four-step process (new window) | Donna Boucher has created two versions of a poster that describes the Polya problem-solving process. |
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