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I'm tutoring first-year general chemistry students, and while they can memorize formulas and definitions, they consistently struggle with the initial step of chemistry problem solving—interpreting word problems to identify the underlying concept and map out a logical solution pathway before plugging numbers into equations. For educators or advanced students, what strategies or exercises have you found most effective for building this foundational skill? I'm looking for practical ways to teach them how to deconstruct a problem, recognize patterns like stoichiometry or equilibrium, and avoid the common pitfall of just grabbing numbers from the text without understanding the chemical principles at play, which leads to frustration even on seemingly straightforward questions.

Three-step pre-solve protocol: 1) read the problem aloud and write a one-sentence takeaway of what’s being asked. 2) identify the core concept or concepts involved (stoichiometry, equilibrium, acid–base, kinetics, etc.). 3) draft a quick plan that lists the sequence of steps and which equations or relationships you’ll use, then execute and check. For example, if you’re asked to find the limiting reagent in a reaction, your plan would be: convert masses to moles, compare mole ratios to the equation, pick the limiting reagent, and compute the theoretical yield, then verify units and magnitudes are reasonable.