Word problems
Below are two articles that explain some issues that students may face when attempting to solving word problems. Solving word problems can be a very difficult task for students. It is important to provide multiple strategies for students to use in order to be successful!
Article 1: The Examining Mathematical Word Problems Solving Ability under Efficient Representation Aspect
This article discusses some of the difficulties that students may face when solving word problems. Some suggested ideas for students to increase their success with word problems include: while reading word problems, first make sure the student is able to understand the relationship among all of the components in a problem, encourage students to ask questions about unknown components of the word problem, help students to decipher between important and irrelevant information, and finally, assist the student in taking the information and using it in a meaningful way to solve the problem. A study was included in this article which illustrates types of strategies students utilize most often and how the strategy relates to their abilities to solve the problem.
Sajadi, M., Amiripour, P., & Rostamy-Malkhalifeh, M. (2013). The Examining Mathematical Word Problems Solving Ability under Efficient Representation Aspect. International Scientific Publications and Consulting Services, 2013, 1-11. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://www.ispacs.com/journals/metr/2013/metr-00007/article.pdf
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Article 2: The Effect of Personalized Word Problems
This article discusses the importance of "personalizing" word problems. In other words, word problems should be altered so that the content is meaningful to students. This article suggests presenting word problems to students with content that is relevant and familiar to them so that they can better understand what is being asked of them. Studies have proved that students have more motivation and a better attitude towards familiar word problems, as compared to the bland, textbook word problems. This leads to students experiencing greater success with word problems.
Hart, J. (1996). The Effect of Personalized Word Problems. Teaching Children Mathematics, 2(8), 504-505. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://www-tc.pbs.org/teacherline/courses/math295/pdfs/acf450.pdf
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What can you do to help your child succeed with word problems?
1. Read the problem aloud, with expression. Sometimes it helps to hear the problem in someone else's voice.
2. Make the problem meaningful. Real life situations are much easier for children to understand and remember. This can also make it fun!
3. Draw a picture. For some students, a problem becomes easier to solve if shown in a different way.
4. Make sure your child understands exactly what he/she is solving for. Ask your child to tell you what needs to be solved.
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Here are three example problems that you can practice at home! Feel free to make up your own extra practice problems or contact me for more practice.
Article 1: The Examining Mathematical Word Problems Solving Ability under Efficient Representation Aspect
This article discusses some of the difficulties that students may face when solving word problems. Some suggested ideas for students to increase their success with word problems include: while reading word problems, first make sure the student is able to understand the relationship among all of the components in a problem, encourage students to ask questions about unknown components of the word problem, help students to decipher between important and irrelevant information, and finally, assist the student in taking the information and using it in a meaningful way to solve the problem. A study was included in this article which illustrates types of strategies students utilize most often and how the strategy relates to their abilities to solve the problem.
Sajadi, M., Amiripour, P., & Rostamy-Malkhalifeh, M. (2013). The Examining Mathematical Word Problems Solving Ability under Efficient Representation Aspect. International Scientific Publications and Consulting Services, 2013, 1-11. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://www.ispacs.com/journals/metr/2013/metr-00007/article.pdf
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Article 2: The Effect of Personalized Word Problems
This article discusses the importance of "personalizing" word problems. In other words, word problems should be altered so that the content is meaningful to students. This article suggests presenting word problems to students with content that is relevant and familiar to them so that they can better understand what is being asked of them. Studies have proved that students have more motivation and a better attitude towards familiar word problems, as compared to the bland, textbook word problems. This leads to students experiencing greater success with word problems.
Hart, J. (1996). The Effect of Personalized Word Problems. Teaching Children Mathematics, 2(8), 504-505. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://www-tc.pbs.org/teacherline/courses/math295/pdfs/acf450.pdf
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What can you do to help your child succeed with word problems?
1. Read the problem aloud, with expression. Sometimes it helps to hear the problem in someone else's voice.
2. Make the problem meaningful. Real life situations are much easier for children to understand and remember. This can also make it fun!
3. Draw a picture. For some students, a problem becomes easier to solve if shown in a different way.
4. Make sure your child understands exactly what he/she is solving for. Ask your child to tell you what needs to be solved.
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Here are three example problems that you can practice at home! Feel free to make up your own extra practice problems or contact me for more practice.
1. (Insert child's name) wanted to build a tree house in his/her backyard. The dimensions of the tree house are 6 feet by 7 feet. What are the dimensions of the tree house in inches?
2. Your new swimming pool is 3 times as long as it is wide. The width is 4 meters long. What is the area of the pool?
3. You were allowed to stay up extra late on a Friday night to watch your favorite movie. You went to sleep at 10:15 pm. If you slept for 8.5 hours, what time did you wake up?
Word Problem Vocabulary:
Addition Words:
Subtraction Words:
Multiplication Words:
Division Words:
Rectangles are self created and clock can be found at www.google.com/images
Shapiro, C. (n.d.). Fancy Free in Fourth: Math Word Problems can be a MONSTER!. Fancy Free in Fourth: Math Word Problems can be a MONSTER!. Retrieved April 3, 2014, from http://fancyfreein4th.blogspot.com/2012/09/math-word-problems-can-be-monster.html
Addition Words:
- Plus
- Add
- Sum
- Increase
- Together
- Join
- Altogether
- Total
- Combined
- More than
- How many in all?
Subtraction Words:
- Less than
- Fewer than
- Take away
- Left
- Difference
- Larger than
- Minus
- Decrease
- How many more?
- How much more?
Multiplication Words:
- Per
- Of
- Multiplied
- Product
- Twice
- Double
- By
- As much
- Times
Division Words:
- Cut
- Evenly
- Quotient
- Equal parts
- In half
- Each
- Every
- Out of
- Divided by
- Average
Rectangles are self created and clock can be found at www.google.com/images
Shapiro, C. (n.d.). Fancy Free in Fourth: Math Word Problems can be a MONSTER!. Fancy Free in Fourth: Math Word Problems can be a MONSTER!. Retrieved April 3, 2014, from http://fancyfreein4th.blogspot.com/2012/09/math-word-problems-can-be-monster.html
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