Open-Ended Math Questions: How to Use Them in Grades 3-5
The first time I put an open-ended math question on the board for my third graders, half the class sat frozen. They kept asking, “But what’s the answer?” They had…
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Word Problems in Math: Strategies, Types, and How to Teach Them
If you’ve ever read a student’s solution to a word problem and thought, “Wait… how did you even get that answer?”—you’re not alone. Word problems have a way of turning…
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Multiplication Keywords for Word Problems: A Grades 3–5 Teaching Guide
A student reads a word problem, spots the word “each,” and immediately writes a multiplication equation. That shortcut works sometimes—but it breaks down the moment “each” appears in an addition…
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What Is a Tape Diagram? Examples for Every Math Operation
Tape diagrams are visual tools that help students solve math word problems. They offer a simple way to understand complex mathematical concepts. In this post, I will discuss tape diagrams…
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CUBES Math Strategy: What It Is and What to Use Instead
The CUBES math strategy is a word problem acronym that breaks problem-solving into five steps: Circle the numbers, Underline the question, Box the keywords, Evaluate what steps to take, and…
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Why Numberless Word Problems Should Be Part of Your Math Instruction
Teaching word problems can feel frustrating—for both you and your students. Students often jump straight to the numbers, guess an operation, and hope for the best. The result? Confusion, errors,…
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Compare Word Problems – How to Teach Students to Solve Them
Compare word problems can be some of the most difficult addition and subtraction problems for students to solve. In this type of problem, students are asked to compare two groups…
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Addition and Subtraction Word Problems by Problem Type
If your students can solve equations but get stuck on addition and subtraction word problems, you’re not alone. Many students look for keywords, grab numbers, and guess, without really understanding…
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Separate Word Problems: Start, Change, and Result Unknown
Solving word problems is difficult for students, but teaching them how to read the word problem and understand the context or situation of the word problem sets a good foundation for…
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Join Word Problems – Solve Word Problems by Problem Type
Of all the word problem types, join problems are the ones students usually meet first — and for good reason. They involve combining quantities, which is a concept most kids…
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A Word Problem Strategy That Helps Students Analyze Before They Solve
Do your students struggle to solve word problems? I am a big proponent of helping students understand the context of a word problem and solve it while understanding what is going…
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Why “Keyword” Strategies for Word Problems Don’t Work
As an elementary school teacher, you know all too well the importance of helping your students develop their math skills. As a result, many of us have embraced the use…
