Word Problems

Word problems are scary for most students.  Heck they are scary for most adults!  Some teachers may think it is easier to skip over word problems, I used to think that.  I used to think that I didn't have time for them.  I was sadly mistaken...Word problems are so important, especially when curriculum is based on common core.

Hopefully the math problems you are giving your students don't look like this!

It is very important to make word problems relate to real life.  This helps students understand the value of solving them.  I try to make sure every problem I give my students could actually happen.  I stay away from problems like this:

  You may be thinking..Oh... I need to start having my students do the word problems at the end of the page in the math book.  While some of that can't hurt, most kids have figured out that if you just take the numbers that are in the problem and apply the concept that the rest of the page is about, they can get the right answer without even reading the problem!  That is really not helpful for anyone.  It is better to give them a variety of problems to help them really think about the problem and how to solve it.

  
Here are a few word problem task cards.  They are better than worksheets or the math book that just wants them to practice a certain skill.  There are word problems to go with each of the common core standards.

Here are some holiday word problems

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Embrace the word problems!!!!!!!