Problem-Based Math: Word Problems
Event Information
Description
Word problems are a common source of frustration for students, but they don't have to be! When done right, word problems can be a great way for students to make sense of mathematical concepts by connecting them to real world situations.
In this workshop, participants will learn to address the procedural and conceptual challenges many students face when solving word problems.
We'll explore how Polya’s four-step process provides students a structure for approaching any word problem. We'll also explore strategies, such as work backwards, draw a picure, and act it out, which help students apply their understanding of math concepts to real world situations.
Inquiry-based learning with word problems aligns well with most elementary and middle school grade-level standards and supports several mathematical practice standards, especially MP1, MP2, and MP7.
Rigorous word problems support collaborative learning, serve as a vehicle for introducing new concepts, and provide teachers a new way to assess student understanding.
This workshop addresses the mathematical concepts behind challenging word problems, as well as the teaching strategies that promote student success in understanding and solving word problems.
About the Math
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Explore the roles of processes vs strategies when solving word problems
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Use word problems to connect math concepts to real-world scenarios
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Organize thinking in multiple steps
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Use estimation and other strategies to check for reasonableness
About the Teaching
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Design 3-part workshop lessons incorporating word problems
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Assess procedural skill and conceptual understanding
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Anticipate and address common challenges
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Facilitate collaborative learning
For more on teaching word problems, visit roomtodiscover.com/word-problems
In this workshop, participants will solve word problems as student-learners, learn common word-problem structures, and plan standards-aligned lessons to use in class the next day. Workshop registration includes class licenses for all templates and organizers needed to conduct a standards-aligned word problem lesson the next day.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Jeff Lisciandrello is an expert in math curriculum and student- centered instructional practices, with over 15 years experience as a classroom teacher, curriculum designer, and instructional coach. In Jeff’s workshops, educators, don’t just hear about differentiation and inquiry-based learning, they experience them first-hand.
ABOUT MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONS
Our workshops cover practical classroom strategies for teaching math through multiple representations. Research shows that students best develop numeracy and mathematical reasoning by mastering five ways to represent mathematical ideas.
ABOUT MATH WORKSHOP
The math workshop model was developed by John van de Walle. This 3-part lesson structure supports active learning, collaboration, and mathematical discourse.
Participants will develop lesson plans based on the math workshop model, and have access to planning templates and graphic organizers to bring math workshop to their classrooms.