Grades 3-5 Math Problem Solving in Action_ Getting Students to Love Word Problems

Assessment ◆ 159

trying to find out? Many students have trouble putting into words

what the actual numbers mean in the problem.

3. Are they able to choose a correct solution strategy? Do they know
   which operation to use? Are they flexible with numbers? Can
   they see more than one way to do it? It is good to give them some
   multiple choice word problems where they have to pick the cor-
   rect equation because this gets at the question above and this one.
   Do they know what the numbers mean and can they do the actual
   calculations? Also, it is good to have students solve one way and
   check another to see if they have that flexibility in working with
   the numbers.


4. Finally, can the students carry out the solution strategy correctly?
   Do they know how to do the actual calculations?

Student Reflection

Student self-reflection about their own problem-solving work is important.
At the beginning of the year, students should take a survey to see how
they think about themselves as problem solvers (see Figures 11.9 and 11.10).

Figure 11.9 Word Problem Survey

1. What do you think of when you hear about word problems?

Use numbers, words and pictures to describe your thinking.

2. Circle how well you think you can solve word problems.

1 2 3 4 5

great good okay not good yet still need lots of help

3. Do you like word problems?

A. a little

B. a lot

C. not at all

Explain your answer: