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Geometry Word Problems
Word problems can be very difficult for children to sove and learn because of the complicated solution process. In this section, I have provided two article reviews that pertain to word problems and different strategies that can be used to help your child better understand world problems. I have also provided three word problems that you can complete with your child and the important vocabulary that is associated with word problems. The problems that I have provided are based off what your child is currently learning and the standards associated with our unit.
Word Problem Article # 1: How Many Baseball Cards Does Jimmy Have?
Summary:
This article identifies the five basic word problem situations as change, group, compare, restate, and vary. The article focuses on one of the most common word problem structure, change. In change word problems, the amount or value changes overtime. When working with change problems, it is necessary to have three known quantities: the initial amount, the change or changes in the amount and then final amount after the changes. The reader of change problems is responsible for finding the final amount, or find the initial amount, depending on the problem's structure.
The article suggests that teachers use the modified sentence completion talks and graphic organizers to teach word problem structures. Student's would first complete the fill-in-the-blank activity with the vocabulary words. Next, the student will find the five sentences that are related to the world problem and cut them out. Next the sentences are arranged in a logical order. When students are confident they paste the strips down and check the arithmetic to see if the problem is correct. This process helps the student to understand how word problems work and what steps are necessary to solve the problem.
Use in the classroom:
Article Citation: MONTELONGO, J. A., HERNÁNDEZ, A. C., & HERTER, R. J. (2009). How Many Baseball Cards Does Jimmy Have?. California Reader, 42(4), 27-34.
The article suggests that teachers use the modified sentence completion talks and graphic organizers to teach word problem structures. Student's would first complete the fill-in-the-blank activity with the vocabulary words. Next, the student will find the five sentences that are related to the world problem and cut them out. Next the sentences are arranged in a logical order. When students are confident they paste the strips down and check the arithmetic to see if the problem is correct. This process helps the student to understand how word problems work and what steps are necessary to solve the problem.
Use in the classroom:
- Sentence Completion Task: This comprehension task allows students to fill in the missing words in a paragraph. It is helpful with word problem comprehension because students can practice identifying and linking related sentences together.
- Graphic Organizers: "students arrange the abstracted related sentences onto a graphic organizer and gain insights into the logic of word problems." This helps students to visually see how word problems are structured and the important parts of each problem.
Article Citation: MONTELONGO, J. A., HERNÁNDEZ, A. C., & HERTER, R. J. (2009). How Many Baseball Cards Does Jimmy Have?. California Reader, 42(4), 27-34.
Word Problem Article # 2: Word Problem-Solving Instruction in
Inclusive Third-Grade Mathematics Classrooms
Summary:
Word problems can be confusing and overwhelming to many students. The students' mathematical skills and reading skills can impact their ability to read, comprehend and answer word problems. This article presents a study about the effectiveness of strategy based instruction in inclusive classroom settings. They examined the word problem-solving performance and computation skills of students who received schema-based instruction (SBI) with students who received general strategy instruction (GSI). The article provided examples of each type of instruction and how they were used in the word-problem solving instruction.
Schematic Based Instruction
There are for essential problem solving steps associated with SBI.
1. Schema knowledge and problem schema identification: processing various problem features.
2. Elaboration knowledge and problem representation: developing a schematic diagram or template that corresponds with the representation of the problem.
3.Strategic knowledge and problem-solution planning: setting up goals and subgoals, selecting the appropriate operation, and writing the math equations.
4. Execution knowledge and problem solution: carrying out the plan.
The research of this article proved that when students are given instructional strategies to solve word problems, students of all abilities can be successful.
Article Citation: Griffin, C. C., & Jitendra, A. K. (2009). Word Problem-Solving Instruction in Inclusive Third-Grade Mathematics Classrooms. Journal Of Educational Research, 102(3), 187-202.
Schematic Based Instruction
There are for essential problem solving steps associated with SBI.
1. Schema knowledge and problem schema identification: processing various problem features.
2. Elaboration knowledge and problem representation: developing a schematic diagram or template that corresponds with the representation of the problem.
3.Strategic knowledge and problem-solution planning: setting up goals and subgoals, selecting the appropriate operation, and writing the math equations.
4. Execution knowledge and problem solution: carrying out the plan.
The research of this article proved that when students are given instructional strategies to solve word problems, students of all abilities can be successful.
Article Citation: Griffin, C. C., & Jitendra, A. K. (2009). Word Problem-Solving Instruction in Inclusive Third-Grade Mathematics Classrooms. Journal Of Educational Research, 102(3), 187-202.
Strategies to Help Your Child Solve Word Problems At Home
If your child is struggling walk through these steps with them to make sure all of the key information and steps are in place.
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Other strategies to try:
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Important Vocabulary Signposts for Word Problems
Vocabulary signposts are present in all word problems. They are essential vocabulary for word problems that help the reader to identify different operations, and choose the correct one. When helping your child with word problems make sure to point out the vocabulary signposts. I have provided a chart below that gives a few common signposts as a guide for you and your child.
Word Problems to Practice With Your Child
References:
Helping your child work with math word problems. Retrieved from http://westfield.sharpschool.net/UserFiles/Servers/Server_952612/File/2Departments/Title%201/Dissemination%20PDF's/math%20word%20problems.pdf
Talbot, (n.d.). Mathematics operations and word problem key vocabulary. Retrieved from http://teacherweb.com/CA/Golden/MissTalbott/mathkeywordvocabchart.pdf
Helping your child work with math word problems. Retrieved from http://westfield.sharpschool.net/UserFiles/Servers/Server_952612/File/2Departments/Title%201/Dissemination%20PDF's/math%20word%20problems.pdf
Talbot, (n.d.). Mathematics operations and word problem key vocabulary. Retrieved from http://teacherweb.com/CA/Golden/MissTalbott/mathkeywordvocabchart.pdf