Strategies for Solving Word Problems
Word Problem Clues- Be a math detective when you look at your word problems for the day. If you see a word or phrase in the addition sign below you are probably solving an addition problem. If you see a word or phrase in the subtraction sign below you are probably solving a subtraction problem.
Make Ten Facts are So Important!
Learning our make ten facts can help us be successful as we move up to harder skills in math. Make ten facts are the numbers 0-10 and the partner number that would go with that number to equal ten. For instance 1 and 9 are partners to make ten because 1+9=10.
Make Ten Game- Role a dice and say the number that would go with the number to make ten. Repeat this as many times as you can in a minute. If you don't have a dice at home use this link to roll a virtual ten sided dice or use this link to print and build your own dice.
Strategies for Two Digit Addition and Subtraction
With regrouping, you have added two numbers which created 10 or more separate pieces that can be grouped together again as something new. With ungrouping,you are taking a ten or hundred and breaking it back into separate smaller pieces or undoing the group to have enough to subtract.
Addition problems with no regrouping: 52+34=
Adding by Unit Type-The number 52 is equal to 5 tens and 2 ones and the number 34 is equal to 3 tens and 4 ones. I can then add my tens together and add my ones together.
Using Hundreds Chart- Each time you move down a row in your hundreds chart you are adding ten to your number. Every time you move to the right you are adding one. You can use this knowledge of the hundreds chart to help you solve addition problems.
Another Example of Addition on a hundreds chart 12+25=
Remember to move down the chart for your tens...
and across for your ones.
Using Number Line- If your child is struggling with jumps on the number line you may want to have them use the hundreds chart to figure out where they will land when they jump by ten. Several of our students are still working on counting off decade by ten. We would definitely suggest jumping by only one ten at a time. So making three jumps of 10 rather than one jump of 30.
Addition problem that requires regrouping: 57+34=
Adding by Unit Type-
Using Hundreds Chart-
Using a Number Line-
Subtraction problem with no ungrouping: 59-32=
Subtracting by Unit Type- I caution students using this strategy because they are not able to use this strategy when ungrouping and sometimes they use it incorrectly as a result.
Using Hundreds Chart- When you move up a row you are subtracting by ten. Each move to the left on the hundreds chart you subtract one.
Number Line- Some of our students struggle to go backward on the number line. It sometimes helps to use the turn around fact with these kids to solve the subtraction problem. So 32 + = 59. Whatever they jump up by to get to 59 is then their answer.
Subtraction problem with ungrouping: 62-36=
Using Hundreds Chart-
Adding multiple two digit numbers together
Word Problem Example: In the morning, Henry jumped rope for 12 minutes and then played basketball for 25 minutes. In the afternoon, he rode his bike for 41 minutes and played basketball for 13 more minutes. How many minutes did Henry exercise today?
1. Ask yourself, "What is the problem asking me to solve?" -Total minutes exercised (I am going to add)
2. Find all the different time amounts exercised (12, 25, 41, 13)
3. Only attempt to add two numbers together at a time using one of the strategies shared last week. If you don't remember options scroll further down the page this support is still available. I am going to use the hundred-twenty chart in my example.
I will start with 12+25=
Remember to move down the chart for your tens...
and across for your ones.
4. Then I will add the other pair of numbers 41+13=
First add the tens by moving down the chart...
then add the ones moving to the right.
5. Then I will add my sum from each equation together 54+37=
Videos of Strategies in Practice
Watch the video link of Mrs. Branche explaining the different strategies for addition.
Mrs. Branche created great videos demonstrating place value and number line strategy to solve subtraction problems. You can use the tools under resources to help you follow these strategies.
Resources for Addition and Subtraction Strategies
Interactive Base Ten Pieces- These are useful to model the numbers you are working with in addition and subtraction problems
Interactive Place Value Arrow Cards-These can be used for finding the expanded form for the numbers
Hundreds Chart- Help your learner visualize the problem they are solving
Blank Number Lines-Use these to solve addition and subtraction problems with jumps
Addition/Subtraction Math Stories
Here is a fun riddle about your make ten facts. This is from Greg Tang's Math for All Seasons. See if you can use your Make Ten Facts to solve the riddle!
Fun Songs for Addition and Subtraction
These video links are through NUMBEROCK website, which is an ad free site that has catchy songs for a lot of different math concepts. The videos are free, but additional resources you have to subscribe to view.
Two digit addition with regrouping