Word Problems
Teaching Word ProblemsSolving word problems involve both reading and math skills. When teaching word problems, use objects and/or draw pictures to help with visualization. Personalize the problems to motivate students; make them relevant to everyday life.Try substituting smaller numbers in place of larger ones, so they can understand the process first. Find a good problem-solving technique that is easy to remember so that the student can always refer to it. One that I particulary liked and wanted to share was called the C.U.B.E. method.
C- Circle the numbers. U- Underline important words. B- Box the question. E- Eliminate unecessary information. It's a very proactive method. The "C" makes students isolate important data. The "U" makes them identify key words that tell what process to use. The "B" makes them identify the specific question that needs to be answered. The "E" helps students eliminate the "fluffy stuff" that is not necessary to solve the problem by crossing it out. Sample Problem: Mr. Johnson's class has 21 students. If the seven of his students are absent due to heavy rainfall on a particular day, how many students does he have left in his class on that day? Using C.U.B.E. Method with Same Problem (minor revisions need to be made because of formatting; numbers= bolded, question= italicized, important words= underlined, unnessary info.= removed): 21 students. If seven are absent, how many students does he have left in his class? Another Strategy- S.K.A.T.E. |
How to Read Word Problems with Your ChildStep 1: Read the entire problem with your child. Have them read it out loud so they can process the problem. Discuss the scenario in the problem.
Step 2: Verify with your child that they understand all of the vocabulary involved. Step 3: Re-read the problem, but this time identify the question and what it is asking you to do. What operation is needed? Look for key words (signposts)that tell what operation needs to be used.
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Article #1 Review- Helping Students Solve Word ProblemsThere are a broad range of skills necessary to successfully solve a word problem. Students need to visualize the problem, understand the vocabulary involved, choose the correct operation to use, and include the proper unit in the answer; it's no wonder many children struggle with word problems. Often multiple skills and steps are necessary. Here are some helpful approaches in this article:
-Expose the child to word problems that relate to their lives. Allow them to create problems to solve. Include names of friends and people they know to make it relevant. -Use concrete objects and manipulatives, then drawings, before moving on to the abstract level with numbers. -Practice concentrating on the relevant and critical information. Look for the sentence with the question and for clues that tell you what operation is needed. One of the problem-solving strategies they spoke of was called SOLVE, a mnemonic device that stands for... S tudy the problem O rganize the facts L ine up the plan V erify your plan with computation E xamine your answer Bibliography: Ito, C. (2001). Helping students solve word problems. William & Mary School of Education. Retrieved from http://education.wm.edu/centers/ttac/resources/articles/ teachtechnique/helpstudentsolve/index.php |
Article #2 Review- A Problem Well Defined is a Problem Half SolvedThe article explains that there are two types of reading: Regular Reading and Technical Reading.
Regular reading is when the child reads at a fairly rapid pace so that comprehension is not lost. Usually slow-paced readers have trouble with decoding, vocabulary, and/or other skills, and the main idea is not understood because of the slow speed. Technical reading is like reading directions or an instruction manual. Every word is important and needs to be internalized, therefore, slow-paced reading is a necessary component of technical reading. Which type of reading is needed for word problems? Technical reading. Students should be encouraged to take their time and slow down. The article says that each word should be examined and defined. So the student should take each word and ask "What does this mean?". This goes back to the title, that "A Problem Well Defined is a Problem Half Solved." When each word in the word problem is defined, it makes solving it much easier. Bibliography: Garcia, L. (n.d.). A problem well defined is a problem half solved: "See the math". Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Retrieved from http://www.tamusa.tamus.edu/education/documents/garcia/wordproblems.pdf |
Measurement Word Problems for Practice
Problem 1:
At the dentist's office, the yellow toothbrush is 7 inches long. The purple toothbrush is 2 inches shorter than the yellow toothbrush. The red toothbrush is 3 inches longer than the yellow toothbrush. How many inches long is the purple toothbrush? ___________________________________________________ Problem 2: At the playground in the park, the swing set is 9 feet tall. The slide is 2 feet shorter than the swing set. How many feet tall is the slide? |
Problem 3:
In Mom's jewelry box, the silver necklace is 15 inches long. The blue beaded necklace is 5 inches longer than the silver necklace. How many inches long is the blue beaded necklace? __________________________________________________ Problem 4: In Martha's sticker collection, the rainbow sticker is 4 inches tall. The polar bear sticker is 1 inch taller than the rainbow sticker. The horse sticker is 3 inches shorter than the rainbow sticker. How many inches tall is the polar bear sticker? |
Answers:
#1- 5 inches
#2- 7 feet
#3- 20 inches
#4- 5 inches
#1- 5 inches
#2- 7 feet
#3- 20 inches
#4- 5 inches
For More Practice Problems Like the Ones Above, Visit the IXL Website:
Reference:
Teaching Word Problems
Math Word Problem Strategies- http://theteachergarden.blogspot.com/2012/03/math-word-problem-strategies.html
How to Teach Math Word Problems to Kids- http://www.livestrong.com/article/221982-how-to-teach-math-word-problems-to-kids/
How to Help Children With Math Words Problems- http://www.livestrong.com/article/173008-how-to-help-children-with-math-word-problems/
How to Read Word Problems With Your Child
How to Teach Math Word Problems to Kids- http://www.livestrong.com/article/221982-how-to-teach-math-word-problems-to-kids/
How to Help Children With Math Words Problems- http://www.livestrong.com/article/173008-how-to-help-children-with-math-word-problems/
Measurement Word Problems
1st Measurement Word Problems- http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-1
IXL Image- http://mracosta.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/ixl-math-homework-for-mr-acostas-class/
Article #1
Ito, C. (2001). Helping students solve word problems. William & Mary School of Education. Retrieved from
http://education.wm.edu/centers/ttac/resources/articles/ teachtechnique/helpstudentsolve/index.php
Article #2
Garcia, L. (n.d.). A problem well defined is a problem half solved: "See the math". Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Retrieved from http://www.tamusa.tamus.edu/education/documents/garcia/wordproblems.pdf
Teaching Word Problems
Math Word Problem Strategies- http://theteachergarden.blogspot.com/2012/03/math-word-problem-strategies.html
How to Teach Math Word Problems to Kids- http://www.livestrong.com/article/221982-how-to-teach-math-word-problems-to-kids/
How to Help Children With Math Words Problems- http://www.livestrong.com/article/173008-how-to-help-children-with-math-word-problems/
How to Read Word Problems With Your Child
How to Teach Math Word Problems to Kids- http://www.livestrong.com/article/221982-how-to-teach-math-word-problems-to-kids/
How to Help Children With Math Words Problems- http://www.livestrong.com/article/173008-how-to-help-children-with-math-word-problems/
Measurement Word Problems
1st Measurement Word Problems- http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-1
IXL Image- http://mracosta.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/ixl-math-homework-for-mr-acostas-class/
Article #1
Ito, C. (2001). Helping students solve word problems. William & Mary School of Education. Retrieved from
http://education.wm.edu/centers/ttac/resources/articles/ teachtechnique/helpstudentsolve/index.php
Article #2
Garcia, L. (n.d.). A problem well defined is a problem half solved: "See the math". Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Retrieved from http://www.tamusa.tamus.edu/education/documents/garcia/wordproblems.pdf