Rewording wordy word problems Keystone Algebra 1 Exam Rewording wordy word problems

ALGEBRA I KEYSTONE EXAM TEST DESIGN FOR STANDARDS Module 1 Module 2 Assessment Anchors Covered Operations and Linear Functions Linear Equations and data organization and Inequalities Number of Eligible Content Covered 18 15

ALGEBRA I KEYSTONE EXAM BREAKDOWN OF QUESTION TYPES Module 1 Module 2 Total Multiple- Constructed Multiple- Constructed Multiple- Constructed Choice Response Choice Response Choice Response Questions Questions Questions Questions Questions Questions Number of Operational Questions 18 3 18 3 36 6 Field Test Questions 5 1 5 1 10 2 Total 23 4 23 4 46 8

Word problems often overwhelm students Too formal Too dense Not fun Confusing Not straightforward, i.e. many concepts per problem Not a clear starting point

Solution may be to reword problems Taught in any class They require that they make their own connections Helps them across all subjects Gives you a window into their thought process Gives them confidence

Example from Keystone A baseball team had $1,000 to spend on supplies. The team spent $185 on a new bat. New baseballs cost $4 each. The inequality 185 + 4b ≤ 1,000 can be used to determine the number of new baseballs (b) that the team can purchase. Which statement about the number of new baseballs that can be purchased is true? A. The team can purchase 204 new baseballs. B. The minimum number of new baseballs that can be purchased is 185. C. The maximum number of new baseballs that can be purchased is 185. D. The team can purchase 185 new baseballs, but this number is neither the maximum nor the minimum.

Reworded: The team bought: bat– 185 balls– some number of them we don’t know (X) but they are 4$ each They can’t spend more than 1,000$ What number of baseballs can they get?