Using Flow Charts To Solve Problems In Math.

Over the years I've been teaching, I realized that some students are unable to follow written directions that are listed in the step by step manner. You know the ones where you write step 1, step 2, etc.  So I've thought about using flow charts but up until recently, I'd been unable to figure that out.  

I first ran into flow charts in when I took some computer classes in college. We used flow charts to figure out how to set the program up from start to finish.  It allowed us to identify when we needed to do this or that depending.  It was quite helpful. 

In math, flowcharts provide a visual framework for students so they can follow the steps in a process. Flowcharts are designed to provide guidance and information just by looking at the shape of the cell.  Ovals represent the start and finish of the process and contain associated information.  Rectangles are for processes or actions such as operations or calculations. Diamonds are reserved for yes or no questions such as "Is there a fraction?". The yes sends you one way, the no sends you another way.  All shapes are connected by arrows which guide the students directionally through the chart.

Each step in the chart represents a step in the problem or something one must look at to decide where to do next.  For instance, if you are adding fractions, you might start with checking to see if the fractions have the same denominators, if yes, then go on to the next step, if no, you would go the the part that helps them find and set common denominators.  Each step would guide students through the process of adding fractions.

When you start using flow charts in math, you will have to teach the students how to use them.  It is suggested you take a problem and write out all the steps on the board, next to a flow chart showing the same problem with all the decisions that are needed but not usually shown in the steps.  This is so students can see how the two relate and how the flow chart works.

Once you've shown them how to use the flow charts, give them some practice problems so they can try it but make sure the first problems show how you do it step by step using the flow chart or is set up so all they have to do is fill in the numbers just like you fill in words from the word bank. Once they understand how to read a flow chart, they can use one to solve the same types of problems so they see how the chart can be used for groups of problems rather than having a flow chart for every single problem.

After they learn to use a flow chart, it is time to teach students how to create their own flow charts to use with any problem. To do this, they need to read through the problem, determine the specific steps needed to solve it, and determine any places that will require a decision. Once they have all this, they can create the flowchart to use for that type of problem.

Although we might think of using flow charts in middle or high school grades, I think they could easily be used in elementary grades to help those students who might need a different way of presenting the math.  The flow charts wouldn't be as complex for the earlier grades but the flow charts would gain in complexity as they got older.  

This is a nice way for students to learn to solve math problems with a nice clear algorithm to follow.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.