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Schema Based Instruction for Problem Solving

"Schema instruction can be a powerful tool for helping students understand and solve word problems. Schema instruction facilitates mathematical reasoning by helping students understand the underlying structures within word problems that will be used across grade levels and with whole and rational numbers."

Powell, S. R., & Fuchs, L. S. (2018). Effective Word-Problem Instruction: Using Schemas to Facilitate Mathematical Reasoning. Teaching Exceptional Children, 31-42.

In this brief 1:12 video clip, Sarah Powell gives a brief definition and rational for schema based instruction.

In this video clip, Sarah Powell demonstrates hand gestures that can accompany additive schema.

In this video clip, Sarah Powell demonstrates hand gestures that can accompany multiplicative schema.

T/TAC at VT Schema Presentation and Resources

This presentation was given at the CTA Content Teaching Academy June 2023

Schemas 2023

The above Google Slides were presented and then the student support self check sheets to the right were used to practice how to use schema for word problem instruction.

Additive Schema Self-Checking

Multiplicative Schema Self-Checking

Schema Instructional Cards

Schema Based Instruction Student Cards

These cards provide a graphic organizer to assist students in understanding the different problem types.

Schema Based Instruction Teacher Reference Cards

These reference cards guide teachers as they instruct students about problem types.

Solving Math Word Problems: Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities Using Schema-Based Instruction

Available from The VT T/TAC Library

Schema Based Instruction for Problem Solving

This presentation was given at the CTA Content Teaching Academy June 2023

Schema Instructional Cards

Schema Based Instruction Student Cards

Schema Based Instruction Teacher Reference Cards

Additional Resources