Solving-Word-Problems Lesson
Solving-Word-Problems Lesson
Solving-Word-Problems Lesson
Word problems getting you down? Then, spread the word on a lesson that will help students decide when to add
or subtract, as they identify clue words that aid in solving word problems.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to use addition and subtraction to solve word problems.
Attachments
PDF
Carnival Count
PDF
Multi-Step Addition
PDF
Math Ninja
PDF
Monster Word Problems
Create a scenario to introduce the concept of word problems. Example: I am going to the local zoo and I
plan on bringing 11 students with me. Six more students want to join us. How many of us are going to the
zoo?
You can have students come to the front of the class in these denominations if you would like.
Go over the answer to your created problem.
Repeat the activity with a different word problem.
Call on different students to answer the problem to promote class participation.
Tell students they became a part of a word problem. Ask students to reflect on what word problems are
and have a class discussion. Remind the class that a word problem is a situation explained in words that
can be solved using math.
EL
Beginning:
Intermediate:
Encourage students to repeat the story problem back to you, in their own words.
Ask students to explain what a problem is in their own words.
Write the standard algorithm (1 + 11 + 6 = ____) on the whiteboard to support student understanding.
Beginning:
Intermediate:
Write the clue words on notecards and allow students to sort clue words into two piles: addition clue
words and subtraction clue words.
Write the following reflection questions on the board and encourage students to share their ideas before
moving on to guided practice:
What is happening in this problem?
Is there any information we don't need?
What will the answer tell us?
Do you think the answer will be a big number or a small number? Why?
Beginning:
Intermediate:
Encourage students to write the answer in a complete sentence and reread the sentence to decide if the
answer makes sense.
Encourage students to use physical representations to solve their problem.
Have students turn and talk to a partner, sharing how they solved their problem using sequencing words
(first, then, next, finally).
Beginning:
Intermediate:
Differentiation
Enrichment: For students who need an extra challenge, provide the Math Ninja worksheet.
Support: For students needing support, provide and go through the Monster Word Problems worksheet
in a small group setting.
To check for understanding, monitor the classroom as students are solving and writing their own word
problems.
Check the correctness of student worksheets.
Assign the Multi-Step Addition worksheet to assess your students' understanding.
EL
Beginning:
Help students use phrases, words, and gestures to explain how they solved the problem during
Intermediate:
At the end of the lesson, check and review the in class assignment.
Review any missed problems, and show how to solve for better understanding.
Ask students to share what they learned in today’s lesson.
Introduce the Fish Bowl Addition game to students as a way to practice solving word problems at home.
EL
Beginning:
Provide the following sentence stem to support students in sharing what they learned:
I learned ___.
Allow student to share their answer in English or L1.
Intermediate:
Provide students with the following sentence frame to support sharing out what they learned from the
lesson:
I can use ____ to solve story problems.
I liked using ____to solve story problems.