Problem solving in the classroom...
Here are some examples of word problems we have already worked on in class. As a whole class we go through a KWC chart together. We read through the problem and list every thing we KNOW (what data the problem gave us). Next, we identify WHAT the problem is asking for. Then we talk about if we have any special CONDITIONS (and I explain to the students if they think there is anything tricky in the problem to remember). Once we have discussed the problem thoroughly and cleared up anything we find confusing, students use their math journal to solve the problem by using a math strategy that makes sense to them. In second grade, we encourage students to find an efficient strategy to solve the problem. The numbers that students are adding and subtracting are getting into the hundreds so drawing a picture or using tally marks is no longer an efficient strategy. Students are encouraged to solve the problem the way it makes sense to them but we do encourage using math manipulatives (base ten), number line, skip counting, 100 chart, etc. Once they have solved the problem students are to write an explanation of how they solved the problem and what steps they used.
Here is a picture of your child's checklist they must complete with each problem they work on in class. Please encourage your child to use this while working at home to help reinforce what the expectations are in class.
*At McKinney Roughs, Pratyush saw 84 animals. He saw 32 turtles, 25 horses, and some snakes. How many snakes did he see?
*Nithila was baking cookies with her mom after school. She baked 47 chocolate chip cookies and 79 peanut butter cookies. How many more peanut butter cookies did she bake than chocolate chip cookies?
Extension: Nithila wants to share the cookies with some friends. If there are 6 friends to share with, how many cookies will each friend get?
*Mahi made a beaded necklace. Her necklace had 112 beads total. It had 24 red beads, 18 yellow beads, and 44 orange beads. How many blue beads were there?
*Devin was helping his father rake leaves in his backyard. He counted 90 leaves total in his two piles. There were 15 red leaves and 30 yellow leaves in the first pile. If each pile had the same amount of leaves and there were 36 red leaves in the second pile, how many yellow leaves are in the second pile?
*Prithvi saw a turkey with 74 feathers. 12 of the feathers were yellow. 18 of the feathers were red. The rest were orange.
How many feathers were orange?
*Tommy Turkey ate 15 pieces of corn on Monday. He ate 25 pieces of corn on Tuesday. He ate 45 pieces of corn on Thursday. How many pieces of corn did he eat on Wednesday? If the pattern continues, how many pieces of corn will he eat on Friday?
Extension: How many pieces of corn will he eat total in FIVE days?
Here is a picture of your child's checklist they must complete with each problem they work on in class. Please encourage your child to use this while working at home to help reinforce what the expectations are in class.
*At McKinney Roughs, Pratyush saw 84 animals. He saw 32 turtles, 25 horses, and some snakes. How many snakes did he see?
*Nithila was baking cookies with her mom after school. She baked 47 chocolate chip cookies and 79 peanut butter cookies. How many more peanut butter cookies did she bake than chocolate chip cookies?
Extension: Nithila wants to share the cookies with some friends. If there are 6 friends to share with, how many cookies will each friend get?
*Mahi made a beaded necklace. Her necklace had 112 beads total. It had 24 red beads, 18 yellow beads, and 44 orange beads. How many blue beads were there?
*Devin was helping his father rake leaves in his backyard. He counted 90 leaves total in his two piles. There were 15 red leaves and 30 yellow leaves in the first pile. If each pile had the same amount of leaves and there were 36 red leaves in the second pile, how many yellow leaves are in the second pile?
*Prithvi saw a turkey with 74 feathers. 12 of the feathers were yellow. 18 of the feathers were red. The rest were orange.
How many feathers were orange?
*Tommy Turkey ate 15 pieces of corn on Monday. He ate 25 pieces of corn on Tuesday. He ate 45 pieces of corn on Thursday. How many pieces of corn did he eat on Wednesday? If the pattern continues, how many pieces of corn will he eat on Friday?
Extension: How many pieces of corn will he eat total in FIVE days?