When solving a problem, you must start by choosing a strategy.
Can you explain WHY you chose
that strategy?
Patty read a problem in her math book. It said:
" Kate read 3 books this month and 2 books last month.
How many books did she read in all ? "
Patty
decided that she should ADD those numbers together.
Her teacher asked her to explain why
she should add.
Patty
answered:
" The words 'in all' helps me to know that I
need to put together the numbers by adding to
see how many books there were altogether."
3 + 2 = 5 books
Bob read a problem in his workbook. It said:
" Joe is arranging his 12 toy trucks on shelves.
If he puts 3 trucks on each shelf how many shelves will he use ?
"
Bob decides
that he should divide.
Bob's teacher asked him to explain why he
needs to divide.
Bob
answered:
" I know that I need to put the 12 trucks into
groups, with 3 trucks in each group."
12 ÷ 3 = 4 shelves
Abby read a problem on her math test. It said:
" Sally bought a pen for $1.25 and a notebook for $2.75.
What was her change if she paid with a $5 bill ? "
Abby was not sure what to do.
Abby's teacher told her to think about what
the problem is asking.
Abby reread the problem and realized that
the problem required 2 steps.
" First I need to add together the price of
the pen and notebook. "
$1.25 + $2.75 = $4.00
" Then I need to subtract that from the
$5.00 to figure out the change."
$5.00 - $4.00 = $1.00
Remember:
