The Palmetto Education Summit 2026

Many students approach word problems through “number plucking,” extracting numerals without understanding context. This session highlights a progression that moves students toward deep comprehension and authentic problem solving, with a focus on how intentional teacher questioning supports meaning-making and shifts instruction from answer-getting to sense-making. Participants will explore a progression from number plucking to true problem solving, beginning with identifying common misconceptions and moving to the use of numberless word problems to build understanding. Emphasis will be placed on how purposeful teacher questioning supports students in analyzing, discussing, and making sense of problem situations. Practical strategies and sample tasks will be shared to support immediate classroom application.