Word Problems - Mathematics.

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 Word Problems - Maths.

One of the key areas that we've been focusing on in our maths programme, is ensuring the students understand the problems they solve.  Equations are straightforward.  You know whether it requires addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  Word problems require students to think a little more deeply.  There are a few key strategies that I've been implementing to support my students logical sequencing of working through any problem.

Read - Read the problem
Identify - Identify any key information
Strategy - What strategies can you use.
Solve - Solve the problem, and be logical in your sequencing.
Check - Self-check, correct if wrong, and reflect on misconceptions or where you went wrong.


I've found that when they follow these steps, they are able to share with their peers their thinking and the steps they followed to solve a mathematical problem.  If they can share their thinking with others, they're able to teach it to others.   By teaching and sharing their work, their procedural fluency improves, and they're able to connect with the key concepts that underpin the problems they strive to solve.  

When my students check their answers and find they've got an answer wrong, they reflect on where and how it may have happened. This helps to eliminate the misconceptions they had.   Instead of seeing it as a negative thought, "I'm dumb at maths", it becomes another task almost.  They become detectives trying to fix the error.  It's exciting watching them grow and learn as they navigate through word problems - what we commonly term, 'Rich Tasks'.  Tasks that are relevant, relatable, and have multiple entry points that can be solved in a multitude of ways.

Below are some word problems that have been digitised from Essential Resources (2012).  A book called, "Explore more cards - Math word problems".

Blue Year 7&8            Pink Year 7&8                Yellow Year 7&8        Answers 

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