How to Teach Word Problems in Math
- 1). Phrase the problem as something simple, using simple terms and language. For addition, talk about one person having six sweets and buying three more. Using language appropriate to the age of the children will help them grasp math problems. Word problems are about preventing math from being purely about numbers, allowing the children to visualize the calculations as concrete things.
- 2). Give the students the problem, and allow them to solve it. This step goes above using a word problem. If you are studying division, give the students 15 blocks. Tell them that they have to share them evenly between their five friends. They will work this out themselves and will engage fully with the problem. This activity is a word problem made concrete and interactive.
- 3). Have students sound out equations using words. When problems become more advanced, and a problem is really two separate calculations, having them work out the problem using words will help them understand it. For example, if Margaret earns $10 a month but owes $5 to her sister per month, how much does she get to keep per year. Doing the two calculations out loud will break down the problem and make understanding how to get the answer far simpler.
