144 ◆ Math Literature Problem-Solving Circles
This can be so powerful to have
students do. They should get a
chance to practice doing this dur-
ing whole class problem-solving
routines so that they understand
how to do it. Also, practice this in
small guided math groups by
doing one problem with the group
like this but also giving each stu-
dent their own problem to rework
and then to explain to the group
how they did it. Finally, have the
students also do this in the word
problem workstation. They can do
it alone, with a partner or in a
group.
Figure 9.3Christine Mulgrave-King has some
brilliant ideas about doing word
problem work. She has written sev-
eral books, but two in particular that
relate to problem solving are Test
Savvy Math: Fostering Thinking and
Reasoning into the Test-Prep Process
(which is a book that focuses on inte-
grating test prep throughout the year
with meaningful routines and activi-
ties rather than a frenzied month
before test prep craze). Another book
is 12 Strategies for Understanding Word
Problems.Figure 9.4 Word Problem Rework
Original problem: The kids ate^1 ⁄ 3 of Grandma’s cake in the afternoon. Then,
later that evening they ate^1 ⁄ 3 more. How much was left?
Rework 1: The kids ate^2 ⁄ 4 of Grandma’s cake in the afternoon. Then, later that
evening they ate ¼ more. How much was left?
(changed the numbers)
Rework 2: Grandma baked some cupcakes. She decorated^1 ⁄ 3 of them with
chocolate chips. She decorated^1 ⁄ 3 of them with strawberries. How much of the
cupcakes did she leave plain?
(changed the story)Key Points
- Math Literature Circles promote deep thinking and talking.
- Four Square helps students to learn from each other.
- “Tell me a story” gets students to pose word problems.
- Word Problem Rework (by King, 2013a) helps students to think
about the problem in many ways. - Change the story (use same numbers and same operations)
- Change the language
- Change the units