What to do if you can't figure it out:

1.    Take a deep breath and refuse to be confused; go back over the problem one step at a time.

2.    Organize what you know.

3.    Act the problem out in your mind.

4.    Doodle - move things into new combinations.

5.    Make a graph or a table.

6.    Work the problem backward.

7.    Solve part of the problem.

8.    Look for a pattern.

9.    Ask "What if. . .?" and follow that reasoning through.

10.  Brainstorm.  Even silly ideas can lead to a helpful solution.

11.  Don't give up.  Don't ever give up.  "If you think you can't, you're right."

From Rob's 5th grade guide.  Thanks, Rob.