Design for Learning

Instructor: Lindsey Rae Atkins Area: Math

Title: Word Problems Detectives Date: April 16, 2014
Grade Level: 4
th
grade Estimated Time: 30 minutes


Standards Connection:
Solve multiple step word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole number
answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be
interpreted. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the
unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and
estimation strategies including rounding. [4-OA3]

Learning Goal(s):
When given a word problem students will use appropriate skills to determine the order of
operations necessary to correctly solve the problem.

Evaluation of Learning Goal:
Students will solve a word problem using the steps discussed during the lesson. Students
should arrive at the correct answer to be considered proficient.

Engagement:
Do you remember when we had to think like detectives this week for Language Arts? Well
we are going to be detectives again today while we work on some strategies for solving
word problems. Does anyone find it interesting that we can use some of the same
strategies in language arts as in math?

Learning Design:

Teaching:
Today boys and girls we are going to be talking about word problems. We will be
learning strategies for looking at the information in a word problem and using that to
figure out how to solve it. (the teacher will begin the powerpoint) Can I have a volunteer
read the strategies that we should use for us? It is important when solving a word
problem to read it carefully, it is probably even a good idea to read it twice before you
write anything down, because it is very easy to miss something if you just read over it
once quickly. Next we want to list out the things that we know, like a detective you want
to make sure you have all the facts right, Next we are going to look for key words in the
problem that tell us what we are going to need to do. If I see that a problem says the
words all together I know that I am probably going to add, or if I see that a problem
is telling me to take away I can assume that the problem is probably asking me to
subtract. After you have figured out what you already know, and what the problem is
really asking of you, solve the problem step by step. Lets practice the strategies using an
example. The teacher will go through the next four slides showing each of the steps using
the example problem. Great detective work boys and girls, now before I have you
practice this on your own we are going to put it all together and solve one more problem
as a class. This problem is challenging so we are going to work together, but I want you
to see that if we break the problem down using our steps it can be solved with no trouble.
The teacher will present the problem and guide students in solving it using the steps that
were previously discussed.

Practice:
Now class I am going to pass out one of these problem practice sheets to everyone, put
your name and the date at the top and give me a thumbs up when you are ready. Now
what you are going to do with these two problems is use the strategies that we talked
about earlier to solve them. You are going to carefully read the questions, then on the
lines provided list out the information that you know from reading the problem. Then you
are going to circle the words in the problem that tell you what operation you are going to
use. In the space provided work step by step to solve the problem and be sure to circle
your answer. The teacher will circulate around the room while students work, providing
feedback.

Assessment:
Now I am going to give you one last problem. I want to see that you can use the strategies
we talked about today to solve this problem. When you are finished please place it on the
desk and line up for P.E.

Content and Resources:
Powerpoint
Promethean board
Computer
Practice worksheet
Assessment worksheet
Pencils
Math notebooks

Extensions and /or Accommodations:

Extension:
Students will create their own word problem and circle or highlight the words that let the
reader know what operations they will have to use.

Re-teaching
Students will practice solving word problems step by step in a small group with the
teacher.










Name: Date:

Use the strategies discussed in class today to answer the
following problems. On the lines provided write down the
information that you know about the problem. Circle or
underline the key words in the problem that tell you what to
do. In the space provided work step by step to solve the
problems. Circle your final answer.


1. Jackson had $142 in his bank account. He withdrew $86 on Tuesday and
$24 on Thursday. Jackson deposited $106 on Friday. How much money did he
have in his account at the end of the day on Friday?











2. A basketball player usually scores 16 points in each game. If one person
played 4 games and another person played 6 games, how many total points
were scored by those two players?











Name: Date:



Solve the following word problem in the space provided using the
strategies discussed in class. Be sure to show your work and circle your
final answer.


1. On Tuesday Miss Atkins checked out 23 books from the library.
On Thursday she brought back 6 of the books and checked out 12
more. How many books did Miss Atkins have checked out at the
end of the week?