The first page of your journal will be problem solving hints. This will include key words that will tell you which operation you should use to solve the problem. If you get stumped at how to solve a problem this will have hints to help you solve it on your own. I feel that students need to be able to work independently and figure out how to solve their own problems through collaboration and research. I feel that you should try to solve a problem on your own in several ways before you ask me for help.