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

Problem Types Across the Curriculum ◆ 47

In order to get students to recognize these types of problems, do a variety
of things:

1. Make workstation activities with bags for each of these types of
   problems so that students can practice them and improve.


2. Make workstation activities with mixed problems where the stu-
   dents have to sort the problems under the correct label by type.


3. Give students multi-choice, fill-in-the-blank and extended
   response for workstation activity sheets as well as homework.

The kids went to the movies. It lasted from 2:30 until 4:00. How long did

it last?

a. 2 hours and a half

b. 4 hours

c. 1 hours and a half

d. None of the above

Figure 3.10

The kids went to the movies. It lasted for 1 hour and 47 minutes. They went

at 2:10 pm. What time did they get out?

a. 3:00

b. 2:47

c. 2:57

d. 2:10

e. None of the above

Figure 3.11

Start Time End Time Elapsed Time

5:30 6:25

9:15 45 minutes

1:15 34 minutes