Young children are natural problem solvers, and teaching them to approach challenges systematically helps build confidence, creativity, and flexibility. One of the most effective strategies I’ve used in my classroom is using Newman’s Prompts in lower primary to scaffold problem solving in maths.
I first learned about Newman’s Error Analysis from a numeracy consultant many years ago, and it has shaped the way I teach word problems ever since. By consistently using Newman’s Prompts, students develop confidence and a wide range of problem-solving strategies.
What is Newman’s Error Analysis?
Newman’s Error Analysis originated from research into language issues in mathematics during the 1970s. Anne Newman identified five steps that students typically work through when solving written word problems:
Reading – Decoding the words in the problem.
Comprehension – Understanding what the question is asking.
Transformation – Planning how to find the answer.
Processing Skills – Performing the necessary calculations.
Encoding – Writing down the final answer.
Newman’s Prompts for Problem Solving
To help identify where errors may occur, Newman suggested five simple prompts:
- Reading: “Please read the question to me.”
- Comprehension: “Tell me what the question is asking you to do.”
- Transformation: “Tell me how you are going to find the answer.”
- Processing Skills: “Show me what to do to get the answer.”
- Encoding: “Now, write down your answer.”
These prompts act as a scaffold, giving students a structured way to tackle problems while allowing teachers to pinpoint where misunderstandings occur.
How I Use Newman’s Prompts in Lower Primary
I introduce Newman’s Prompts as soon as students can read basic sentences. Using word problems with accessible language helps build both reading and math confidence simultaneously.
- Posters and Bookmarks: I display Newman’s Prompts posters in the classroom and give each student a bookmark to use as a reference during problem solving.
- Structured Lessons: Students work through each step systematically, guided by the prompts, which improves accuracy and builds independence.
Here’s an example of how I structure a lesson using Newman’s Prompts:
THE PROBLEM
Try it Out
I created a freebie that you can use to teach your students using Newman’s Prompts. You can grab it with the link below:
FREEBIE – Newman’s Error Analysis Problem Solving Worksheet
To save yourself a tonne of time… Buy my other Newman’s Prompt resources here:
Newman’s Error Analysis Problem Solving Booklet – Numbers to 20
Newman’s Error Analysis Posters and Bookmarks
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