Addition and Subtraction Word Problems
In this unit plan, we will explore strategies and activities to help your homeschooler master the art of solving addition and subtraction word problems. They will learn how to represent, solve, and explain solutions to addition and subtraction problems within 20. They will also practice using words, objects, drawings, and numbers to understand and solve the word problems.
Before we dive into the strategies and activities, let's take a moment to understand why learning to solve word problems is crucial for your child's mathematical development.
Word problems provide real-life contexts for applying mathematical concepts and skills. By solving word problems, children develop problem-solving strategies, improve their number sense, and strengthen their mathematical communication skills.
The benefits of solving word problems extend beyond math lessons. Your learner will be able to apply their critical thinking skills to real-world scenarios, making informed decisions and solving everyday problems.
The activities in this unit plan, will teach your learner how to:
Before beginning the lessons, they should have a basic understanding of addition and subtraction concepts. They should also be familiar with numbers up to 20.
To help your child grasp the concept of representing and solving single-step problems, it's important to provide them with various tools and strategies. Here are a few strategies to try.
Encourage your child to use words, objects, drawings, and numbers to represent the problem. This multi-modal approach allows them to visualize the problem and select the most appropriate strategy for solving it. For example, if the problem involves adding two quantities, they can use objects like counters or drawings to represent the quantities and then write the corresponding number sentence.
Addition problems involve combining two or more quantities to find the total. To solve addition word problems, your child can use various strategies such as counting on, making tens, or using doubles. Let's explore these strategies in more detail:
Counting On
Counting on is a simple and effective strategy for solving addition problems. It involves starting with the larger number and counting on from there. For example, if the problem states, "John has 5 apples. He buys 3 more. How many apples does he have in total?" Your child can start with 5 and count on 3 more: 5, 6, 7, 8. The answer is 8.
Making Tens
Another useful strategy is making tens. This strategy is particularly helpful when the numbers involved are close to the next multiple of 10. For example, if the problem states, "Sara has 8 pencils. She buys 7 more. How many pencils does she have in total?" Your child can recognize that 8 and 2 make 10, and there are 5 left over. So the answer is 10 + 5 = 15.
Using Doubles
Doubles are pairs of numbers that are the same, such as 2 + 2 or 6 + 6. Knowing doubles can be a valuable strategy for solving addition problems. For example, if the problem states, "Mary has 7 stickers. Her friend gives her the same amount. How many stickers does Mary have now?" Your child can recognize that 7 + 7 is the same as double 7, which is 14.
Subtraction problems involve taking away or separating a quantity from a whole. To solve subtraction word problems, your child can use strategies like counting back, bridging ten, or using related facts. Let's explore these strategies further:
Counting Back
Counting back is a straightforward strategy for solving subtraction problems. It involves starting with the larger number and counting back to find the difference. For example, if the problem states, "There are 9 balloons. 5 balloons pop. How many balloons are left?" Your child can start with 9 and count back 5 using their fingers: 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4. The answer is 4.
Bridging Ten
Bridging ten is a helpful strategy for subtracting numbers that are close to the next multiple of ten. It involves breaking down the larger number into two parts, one of which makes a ten with the smaller number. For example, if the problem states, "There are 13 cookies on the plate. 8 cookies are eaten. How many cookies are left?" Your child can recognize that 8 and 2 make 10, and there are 3 left over. So the answer is 10 + 3 = 13.
Using Related Facts
Related facts are pairs of addition and subtraction problems that share the same numbers. Knowing related facts can simplify the process of solving subtraction problems. For example, if the problem states, "There are 15 birds on the tree. 7 birds fly away. How many birds are left?" Your child can think of the related addition fact, 7 + ? = 15. By recalling that 7 + 8 = 15, they can determine that 15 - 7 = 8.
Once your child has a solid foundation in adding and subtracting, you can introduce word problems. Use the following steps as a general guideline to help your child solve word problems:
Step 1: Understand the Problem
The first step in solving a word problem is understanding the problem itself. Encourage your child to read the problem carefully, identify the key information, and determine what the problem is asking. They can underline or highlight important details and rephrase the problem in their own words to ensure comprehension.
Step 2: Represent the Problem
Once your child understands the problem, they can represent it using words, objects, drawings, or numbers. This step helps them visualize the problem and make connections between the mathematical operations and the real-world context. They can create a diagram, draw a picture, or use manipulatives to model the problem.
Step 3: Select the Operation
After representing the problem, your child needs to determine which operation (addition or subtraction) is needed to solve the problem. They can consider the relationships between the quantities and the action described in the problem. For example, if the problem mentions adding, combining, or bringing together, addition is the appropriate operation. Conversely, if the problem involves taking away, separating, or finding the difference, subtraction is the right operation.
Step 4: Solve the Problem
Once your child has selected the operation, they can solve the problem using the appropriate strategy. Encourage them to choose a strategy that they are comfortable with and explain their reasoning behind their solution. If they are unsure, encourage them to try multiple strategies or use trial and error to find the correct answer.
Step 5: Justify the Solution
After solving the problem, it's important for your child to justify their solution. They can explain their reasoning, provide evidence from the problem, or use mathematical language to support their answer. This step helps strengthen their communication skills and ensures a deeper understanding of the problem-solving process.
Now that we have discussed goals and strategies, let’s explore some engaging activities for addition and subtraction word problems.
Throughout this unit, your homeschooler has developed their ability to represent, solve, and justify solutions to addition and subtraction word problems. They have also learned to apply their skills in real-life situations, giving them a deeper understanding of addition and subtraction. Ongoing practice will continue to strengthen their skills and prepare them for future lessons.
Hi, I'm Mia!
With over 12 years of experience as a classroom teacher, tutor, and homeschool parent, my specialty is easing math anxiety for students of all ages. I'm committed to empowering parents to confidently support their children in math!