Teaching Word Problems
This page includes strategies, vocabulary, and examples for working on word problems at home with your child.
Multiple Problem Solving Strategies
When figuring out how to go about solving a mathematical word problem, it may help your child to consider multiple strategies. The image to the left provides a series of different strategies. It would be a great image to print out and to have on hand as a reference sheet. A similar poster is on our classroom wall. Your child should have a basic understanding of each strategy from classroom instruction and practice.
The CUBES Strategy
The CUBES strategy: Circle the numbers, Underline the question, Box important words, Eliminate extra information, Solve for the Answer.
CUBES is a strategy that helps the student narrow in on the important, relevant information to solve the word problem. As discussed under the Research subpage, word problems may contain information that is not relevant to finding the solution. Follow the steps in CUBES to solve for the answer. However, once the answer is known relate it back to the scenario. For example, if the answer to a word problems is 5 apples, specify the apples so that the answer makes sense within the context of the problem. This extra step is one we use in class to make sure the answer is specific and reasonable.
CUBES is a strategy that helps the student narrow in on the important, relevant information to solve the word problem. As discussed under the Research subpage, word problems may contain information that is not relevant to finding the solution. Follow the steps in CUBES to solve for the answer. However, once the answer is known relate it back to the scenario. For example, if the answer to a word problems is 5 apples, specify the apples so that the answer makes sense within the context of the problem. This extra step is one we use in class to make sure the answer is specific and reasonable.
Vocabulary
Word problems use a variety of math vocabulary. Here are a few common terms to review with your child. The terms are in a table format and are organized by what operation the words or phrases typically represent.
Word Problems for 3rd Grade
Below are three examples of third grade word problems from the PDF document titled 3rd Grade Math Problems. At the bottom of this page (after the references) is an image of my solutions. Your child may have used a different strategy and that is fine! The important thing is that he used a strategy that worked for him and that he arrived at the correct answer. Also, your child should be able to explain his problem solving process to you.
When Alex got on the school bus, there were 3 other children on the bus. At the next stop, 3 more children got on the bus. How many children were now on the bus?
The brown hen laid 12 eggs. Seven of them have hatched. The red hen laid 13 eggs. Four of them have hatched. How many eggs are left?
Pam’s car holds 10 gallons of gasoline. After filling the tank, she drove to the beach. She had used 8.6 gallons. How many gallons are left in her gas tank?
When Alex got on the school bus, there were 3 other children on the bus. At the next stop, 3 more children got on the bus. How many children were now on the bus?
The brown hen laid 12 eggs. Seven of them have hatched. The red hen laid 13 eggs. Four of them have hatched. How many eggs are left?
Pam’s car holds 10 gallons of gasoline. After filling the tank, she drove to the beach. She had used 8.6 gallons. How many gallons are left in her gas tank?
References
The PDF 3rd Grade Math Problems is from http://www.monroemontessori.com/content/classes/math%20word%20problems%203rd%20Gr.pdf
(No author(s) or date is given in the PDF)
Image links
Problem Solving Strategies: https://www.glastonburyus.org/curriculum/math/gradesk5/problemsolving/Pages/ProblemSolvingStrategies.aspx
CUBES: http://tccl.rit.albany.edu/knilt/index.php/Student_Strategies_for_Solving_Word_Problems
Vocabulary Table: Personally created, adapted from table on webpage https://www.vocabulary.com/articles/lessons/using-key-words-to-unlock-math-word-problems/
Problem Solutions (below): Personal Image
(No author(s) or date is given in the PDF)
Image links
Problem Solving Strategies: https://www.glastonburyus.org/curriculum/math/gradesk5/problemsolving/Pages/ProblemSolvingStrategies.aspx
CUBES: http://tccl.rit.albany.edu/knilt/index.php/Student_Strategies_for_Solving_Word_Problems
Vocabulary Table: Personally created, adapted from table on webpage https://www.vocabulary.com/articles/lessons/using-key-words-to-unlock-math-word-problems/
Problem Solutions (below): Personal Image