1. Solving Multi-step Word Problems
Fourth Grade
Math Night
October 8, 2014

2. Fourth Grade Common Core
4.OA: Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems.
3) Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.

3. Word Problems
THEN
NOW
The city flower shop sold12,398 pink roses on Valentine’s Day. They sold 16,707 red roses. How many pink and red roses did the city flower shop sell altogether on Valentine’s Day?
The city flower shop sold 12,398 pink roses on Valentine’s Day. They sold 4,309 more red roses than pink roses. How many pink and red roses did the city flower shop sell altogether on Valentine’s Day?

4. Our Problem Solving Process
First Read: Underline the question, label units for the answer, envision the problem
Second Read: Find and circle information you need to solve the problem
Make a sketch, table, or diagram if you need to
Third Read: Identify each step and its equation
Carefully solve each step and answer the problem. Ask yourself, “Does my solution answer the questions?”

5. How do we incorporate problem solving into our daily routines?
Morning Messages
Problem Solver
Daily math lessons have a word problem associated with the concept being taught
Performance Tasks

6. Let’s try it out…
Part A: A grocery store had cans of soup on 7 different shelves. The bottom 4 shelves each had 29 cans. The top 3 shelves each had 42 cans. What was the total number of cans on the shelves? Part B: After 56 cans of soup were sold, the clerk moved the remaining cans to a display case. The display case had shelves that could each hold 9 cans. How many shelves were needed to fit all the remaining cans?

7. Potential challenges for our students…
More than one equation
More than one operation
Understanding that one equation builds on another
Knowing which operations match the problem
Understanding what the answer really is after solving multiple equations