The effects of mathematics practices performed with problem solving approach on problem solving skills of 4th grade students

This research aims to examine the effects of mathematics teaching practices carried out with the problem solving approach on the problem solving skills of primary school 4th grade students. The study was modeled as a quasi-experimental design with pretest and posttest control groups. The research was conducted in a primary school in the Polatlı district of Ankara in the spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year; with a total of 94 students where 51 students in the experimental group and 43 students in the control group. In the research process, a problem solving skill test was developed to measure the problem solving skills of fourth grade students in line with the definitions of problem and problem solving skills of the study. The pilot application of the developed test was carried out in a public school, and the reliability and validity studies of the test were carried out using SPSS 25.0 and Lisrel 8.71 package programs in line with the data obtained. This test, which was proven to be valid and reliable, was applied to the experimental and control groups as a pre-test and post-test during the research process. In the study, the experimental group was determined as the group in which the teaching process carried out with the problem solving approach was applied, and the control group was determined as the group in which the traditional teaching process was applied. The contents of the lesson plans were designed and prepared by the researcher within the scope of the teaching process carried out with the problem-solving approach. Expert opinions on the contents of these lesson plans were taken and arrangements were made. Applied in experimental groups. In line with the findings and results obtained in the research, it was concluded that the mathematics teaching practices carried out with the problem solving approach in the 4th grade of primary school had an effect on the problem solving skills of the students, and even improved the problem solving skill levels of the 4th grade primary school students.