Make Word Problem Instruction Easier With This Strategy

 

So many adults have bad memories about doing word problems.  There are different ways to make word problem instruction so much easier for students so that each student can gain confidence in their own math ability. 

Continue reading to see illustrated ideas about how to make word problem instruction so much easier.

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The visuals help students understand what each operation means.  For example, multiplication can be represented in several ways.  The visual representations of repeated addition, the area model, an arrays help students see different contexts in which multiplication is used.

The visuals build later connections.  They help students foster inquiry-based learning skills.  Rather than being told steps or what everything means, students use inquiry-based math instruction when they make their own generalizations, notice patterns on their own, and create their own definitions of math terms.

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Teach GCF (Greatest Common Factor) In A Fun Way To Build Meaning--Inquiry-Based Math Teaching Ideas

 

Teach Greatest Common Factor (GCF) in a Hands-On Way

Being able to see, touch, and investigate is key for building student understanding.  Often, students learn math concepts through repetition rather than for meaning as they get into the intermediate grades. Access Greatest Common Factor Task Cards Click Here

This post provides a hands-on, inquiry-based way to teach about greatest common factor (GCF). Use this strategy with all students.

Access Greatest Common Factor Task Cards Click Here

The Three Types of Percent Problems

Hello guys!  I am back with a free percent wall chart.  Many students group percent questions into one category and do not realize that there are three different types of percent questions.

This free wall chart is a helpful tool for reminding students about the different types of percent problems.

To access task cards that teach and review percent, Click Here.  The document includes 56 task cards that teach and review percent.  Number format and word problem format problems are both included.

Doodle Notes (Food Chains and Food Webs)

 

So much fun!  I really enjoyed drawing these doodle notes to make learning about food chains and food webs fun.

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Students color, highlight, and write information.  The illustrated notes and resources are designed to make learning interesting.

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Inquiry-Based Fractions for Inquiry-Based Math Instruction

 I love math, but I did not always feel this way.  It was not until things began to "click" that my world opened, and I began to view math in a new way.

A love of math and deep understanding are at the heart of inquiry-based instruction.  Inquiry-based instruction is a type of instruction where students investigate and draw conclusions about information.

Sometimes manipulatives get lost in the shuffle during instruction, or they are reserved for students that do not grasp math concepts.  Using manipulatives with all students is crucial and is a great way to introduce a math concept.  It encourages deeper understander rather than only memorizing math steps.

To teach math in an inquiry-based way, create scenarios similar to science labs.  Put manipulatives on the desk in front of a small group of a small group of students along with an index card with a question for thought.  Students make their predictions first, then they use the manipulatives to determine if their assumptions are correct or not.

I asked a group of students, "How many eighths fraction pieces are needed to create one whole?" 

Some of the students were immediately able to say 8/8ths energetically while others said, "Six out of eight pieces". Once the students used their manipulatives to find out the answer, they created more equivalent fractions and discovered patterns in what is needed in order to create a whole.  By the end of the lesson, everyone understood the concept.

Free Main Idea Task Cards (The "Real Reason Students Should Learn About Main Idea)

 These cards are silly.  These cards are fun, but guess what?  They help students learn about main idea.  Click the link to access this free resource.  Plus, it comes with a, printable easy-fold box. Click Here

Hands-On Learning (Science Crafts, Making Learning Fun, and Everything In Between)

 

Have you ever thought about making learning sheets with students. I created the pretend garden shown above with construction paper and white cardstock.  Using makers, I colored each vegetable.

I glued (only the edges) of brown paper onto blue paper.  Slits were cut along

the curved brown lines to create pockets.

How Can You Use This With Students?

Slits were cut along the curved lines.  The root vegetables were tucked into each slit to pull out.

• Put words onto the vegetables.  Students can only harvest the vegetables that have words that only have a certain sound.
• Review social studies words urban and rural.  In a small group, students can simulate being farmers.
• With younger students, write letters or numbers on each vegetables.  Students can only harvest the vegetable that has a letter that makes a certain sound.

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Access the Plants Interactive Notebook here Click Here