1. Do you need super powers to solve a word problem?
Ask students how they feel about word problems. What do you do when you come across a word problem?

2. “Word Problems scare me!”

3. “Word Problems make me nervous!”

4. “Word Problems?
I just skip them!”

5. With just 4 easy steps, you can become…
Don’t Worry!
With just 4 easy steps, you can become…
a Word Problem Super Hero!

6. What Must Students Do When Solving Problems?
To solve even simple problems, students must:
-understand the vocabulary and instructions
-recall mathematical rules and formulas
-recognize patterns
-use sequential ordering to solve multi-step
problems

7. Problem Solving Steps 1) READ and UNDERSTAND the problem.
2) PLAN a solution.
3) SOLVE the problem.
4) CHECK for reasonableness

8. Step 1 Read and Understand the Problem
READ the problem carefully and RESTATE it in your own words.
HIGHLIGHT important information and ignore what is not needed.
DETERMINE the question to be solved.
Teachers:
This is where the “close reading” comes into play. They can use math thinking notes for this purpose. Math teachers are going to begin using them. (You should have a copy of the template)
Highlight = the “purpose for reading”

9. Math Thinking Notes

10. In this problem, what are you trying to figure out?
Alex purchased Madden ‘18 at Gamestop yesterday for $56 and Mortal Kombat $ He handed the cashier a one hundred dollar bill. How much did Alex spend in all? How much will Alex get back?
In this problem, what are you trying to figure out?
Answer:

11. If you said: 1. How much Alex spent on video games?
2. How much change Alex will receive?

12. Let’s turn these questions into a statement.
How much Alex spent on video games?
Alex spent $_____ on video games
2. How much money will Alex get back?
Alex will get $_____ back.
Take note of the $ (dollar sign). Explain to the students the $ represents the unit they are solving for. This is similar to having a purpose for reading. They are “reading to find ”

13. Step 2 Plan a Solution
DECIDE what mathematical operation(s) need to be used
Should you add, subtract, multiply, divide?

14. Look for clues.
Find CLUE WORDS that will help you decide the mathematical operation(s) to use
Now we closely read the problem with a pencil. Teacher can utilize the SMART Board for this purpose and annotate the word problem

15. Alex purchased Madden ‘18 at Gamestop yesterday for $56 and Mortal Kombat $ He handed the cashier a one hundred dollar bill. How much did Alex spend in all? How much will Alex get back?
In this problem, what are you trying to figure out? What are the clue words?
Answer:

16. In this problem, what are you trying to figure out?
Alex purchased Madden ‘18 at Gamestop yesterday for $56 and Mortal Kombat $ He handed the cashier a one hundred dollar bill. How much did Alex spend in all? How much will Alex get back?
In this problem, what are you trying to figure out?
This slide is the teacher key:The red circles and “purchased” and “in all” are the relevant numbers/clue words.
You can cross through text that is not relevant or needed (i.e. “He handed the cashier”).

17. Step 3 Solve the Problem ESTIMATE your answer.
Establish “reasonableness”

18. Approximately how much is Alex spending?
$ is approximately
= _______________
Will your answer to “how much did Alex spend” be greater than $56? Will it be greater than $40?
Discuss with a partner: So is $60 a reasonable answer? Why or why not?
Is $100 a reasonable answer? Why or why not?
No, $60 is not a reasonable estimate because one item cost approximately $60
Yes, $100 is a reasonable estimate because both items cost $95.95

19. Check youRESTATE the question
Check youRESTATE the question. Step 4 Solve the problem ADD necessary units or labels. r Solution

20. Alex spent $_____ on video games Alex will get $_____ back.
Alex purchased Madden ‘18 at Gamestop yesterday for $56 and Mortal Kombat $ He handed the cashier a one hundred dollar bill. How much did Alex spend in all? How much will Alex get back?
Alex spent $_____ on video games
Alex will get $_____ back.
Teachers will model “how to” solve this problem.
= 95.95
100 – = 4.05

21. Now It’s Your Turn
Mrs. Metcalfe is excited that Beyonce is coming to Mercedes Benz Stadium on December 24. Tickets cost $249 and there is a holiday discount until December 20 of $40 off each ticket. How much will Mrs. Metcalfe need to pay for her Beyonce ticket if she purchases it on December 18th?
Instruction suggestions:
Use the SmartBoard to have students come up and annotate clue words, amounts, and scratch through unnecessary information. Run through the same steps as in the example and ask the same questions.