Tackling math word problems can be very tricky indeed! In class we are using several strategies, but the most thing to keep in mind is we want students to be able to tell us what the problem is asking for. To help them along, try using the CUBES strategy: C: Circle important numbers; U: Underline the question (it's not always the last sentence); B: Box important words; E: Cross out extra information; S: Solve the problem. It's OK to let kids "struggle" a little bit with problem solving! We want kids to try to think out the word problem, and once they understand what the problem is asking, they can decide what operation they will use and what plan they will take. Some plans include drawing a picture or an array, skip counting, and making a table. Whatever plan a child uses, it's important for him or her to verbalize how they came to their answer. Using key vocabulary words is also important. Last week we made a vocabulary book in class filled with lots of terms we are using. Have that nearby so that students can refer to it when they need to. It's also important to note that the stronger a student is with basic facts, the less of a struggle he or she will have with problem solving. Reflex Math is a great tool because it's fun while at the same time helps students improve their math fluency. We will be continuing to work on word problems throughout the year. Utilizing the pearson realize website is also recommended. The goal is for students to be more confident and independent learners.
