When students hear the term “math word problems” it doesn’t always sound fun. Students often complain openly about it. “Why do we need to do these? When am I going to use this?” Change your students’ mindsets from drab to fab. What if teaching problem solving could be fun? It’s true! Check out these three simple tips.
Use Student Names and Interests
It’s common for students to not relate to word problems. They read math that they cannot identify to. This makes it easy for students to lose connection if the problem is not applicable to their life.
But here’s the opportunity to make it relatable.
Before students read another boring word problem, change it. Make the subject and verb identify with your students.
Teach students that they can be included in a word problem. Use a student’s name as the subject. Make the action in the problem something students already like to do. Students like playing soccer, scoring a touchdown, or practicing ballet.
Instead of always using textbook word problems, mix it up to include your students. Your students will appreciate your effort to make them feel extra special.
Make it a Math Game
Daily word problem practice doesn’t have to be boring. You can change it up. Make it a competition with your students. Turn your daily word problems into a fun math game.
But how do I make it a game?
One way is to choose sides of the classroom represented by student A and the other students represented by student B. Go over the word problem and have the two students on a personal whiteboard or classroom whiteboard write out their answers. Some students love the attention and others love to cheer on their classmates.
A second way to make it a math game is with answer cards. Give students individual answer cards (A, B, C, D) and have them hold up their answers after 1 or 2 minutes of solving. This gets everyone participating in the game and gives you an informal assessment of their math knowledge.
Whatever game you decide to play, make it fun! Students will always remember how you made them feel. If everyone’s happy, they will start enjoying problem solving.
Problem Solving Training
Teaching problem solving can be done daily. It’s not surprising that it’s not. Have you taken a training course in teaching word problems? Most teachers haven’t and they do not like to teach reading in math.
Here is an inconvenient truth: no one likes to do difficult tasks. We all like to take the easy path. When we don’t know how to do something, we lack the confidence to teach it.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret…
Even though teaching problem solving is difficult, you can teach it well. You are passionate about the success of your students and you have a strong desire to improve your teaching practices. All you need are the tools to teach problem solving in your math classroom.
I want to invite you to the Problem Solving Masterclass. This online professional development program will guide you step-by-step how to be a successful math teacher.
Sign up for the Problem Solving Masterclass
The course will be opening soon. Make sure you are on the waitlist so that you don’t miss out!
