Teaching word problems to your children at home is a great extension to the strategies they learn in class. When working on word problems make it fun and interactive. Incorporate blocks, toys and other real-life items and events into the activities. Go crazy with things around your house, indoors and outdoors. After your child completes a word problem have him or her sit down and write a short journal about the experience.
Here are the steps to solve a word problem:
- Read the problem carefully. Then, reread the question and circle important words that could give clues as to how the solve the problem. For example, look for the words such as order, more, shorter, less, and longer in measurement word problems.
- Determine what the problem is asking, the strategy you will try and make a plan to solve it.
- Execute your strategy.
- Check your answer.
- Document the strategy you used.
One word problem solving strategy we use in class is the CUBES method. Using this strategy, students circle the key numbers, underline the question, box the action words, evaluate the steps to take and solve and check. Using this method ensures students are reading the problem carefully and not missing any important information.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding teaching your child how to solve word problems.
The information on the website is fictious and created as a course requirement for Millersville University.