Training reading comprehension skills for successfully solving mathematical word problems, from 5 to 14 years

Abstract

The article presents a training course (freely accessible on www.edurete.org/training) focused on reading comprehension and problem solving, aimed at helping teachers (not only of mathematics) to work systematically on understanding the logical-mathematical aspects present in various types of texts, including scientific and narrative ones. The training offers to teachers (of students from 5 to 14 years old) nine complete curricula, each with 12 activities, to work on numerous aspects related to understanding mathematical problems and finding solutions. The article also presents the results of a pilot experimentation conducted on about 200 students belonging to 10 primary school classes, which served to fine-tune and calibrate the course. The results seem to be encouraging, with significant increases both on standardized comprehension tests and logical-mathematical tests.