Math word problems are tough!
Ummm… Actually, no, they’re not. There’s a simple strategy you can learn and apply to any math word problem.
If your child struggles with math word problems, you need to teach them this strategy. If you do, they’ll be way ahead of other kids who just give up!
It’s a simple 5-step process. Let’s use the following simple problem as an example.
On a school trip to a farm, Jackie saw 14 sheep. 3 of them were baby sheep. How many adult sheep did she see?
1. First, identify what information you are trying to find out. i.e. what answer are you looking for?
In our example, we want to find out how many adult sheep Jackie saw.
2. Next, identify what information you already know from the problem. By their nature, math word problems give you information to work with.
In our example we are told:
– how many sheep Jackie saw (14).
– how many baby sheep Jackie saw (3).
3. Next, you draw a model to help you “see” the problem. Here’s a screenshot from the app showing this step of the problem. Several levels of the app work on helping your learner build an appropriate model.
4. Finally, you figure out how to identify the unknown piece. In this example, the following equation will find the solution.
14 – 3 = ?
5. Lastly, find the solution and put your answer in a sentence.
Jackie saw 11 adult sheep.
And you are done!
The same process can be applied to any word problem. Teaching this process to your learner gives them a way to manage the problem and find the answer.
You can give your child a lot of practice at each step and then combine the steps to deal with complete problems. Or you can just grab our Math Word Problems app.
Unique on the app store, this app helps kids understand HOW to do math word problems step-by-step.
We start with the absolute basics, and by the end your child will know how to interpret and complete one-step math word problems using addition and subtraction.
Each level in Math Word Problems targets a specific step in working through a math word problem. Once proficient, these skills are combined as your child works through complete problems.
Let your child have the feeling of math success. Grab our Math Word Problems app today!
