Understanding Word Problems
This week in math we broke down word problems using the Part-Part-Whole model and determined what mathematical expression we would need to solve in order to find the answer to the word problem. We used a program on the iPads (but it is also online) called Thinking Blocks.
In this program, students have to start by labeling the parts and the whole. Next they use the clues in the word problem to assign value to each.
Finally, students can determine the mathematical expression to solve for the answer, solve, and plug in the final answer to be checked.