Problem Solving Techniques

Math First Grade

Created by:
Nan Bohannon

TEKS:
111.4. Grade 2, Adopted 2012.
(b) Knowledge and skills.
(1) Mathematical process standards. The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and
demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is expected to:
(A) apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace;
(B) use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a
plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problemsolving process and the reasonableness of the solution;
(C) select tools, including real objects, manipulatives, paper and pencil, and technology as
appropriate, and techniques, including mental math, estimation, and number sense as appropriate,
to solve problems;

Behavioral Objective:
The students will be able to analyze a math word problem by identifying the main components of
the word problems with 80% accuracy.
Students will be expected to solve problems on the Kahoot quiz, with 90% accuracy.

Materials/Software/Hardware:

Work sheets
Pencils
SMART Board
Ipads or Tablets
Access to the Kahoot website: getkahoot.com

Lesson:
1

ETEC 424 @ Texas A&M University-Commerce Last Updated on October 11th 2014

Before the students come into the classroom the teacher should already write one to three math
word problems on the board. The teacher will then circle key words that are important to
understanding what the word problem is wanting you to find out. For example, if the word
problem ends with how many is there altogether that is signaling to you that you are going to add
and find out how many objects are left. The teacher will also point out important information like
numbers that the students need to pay attention to. From there, the teacher and students will work
together as they figure out the problems.
The next step is that the teacher will pass out worksheets with ten math word problems on the
sheet. Students will then demonstrate that they can analyze the word problem by circling
important parts in the sentence. In small groups of four students will work together completing
the worksheets, and the teacher will go around and help the small groups as needed. A math word
problem example for the first grade may look like: Nan has 5 oranges, Austin gives her 2, how
many oranges does Nan have altogether?
After students have practiced analyzing and solving the math word problems, students will play
an interactive quiz on the website Kahoot. Students will use their individuals Ipads and take the
quiz as the teacher goes through it. The teacher will have needed to make the Kahoot quiz ahead
of time. This will allow the teacher to measure the students progress.

Reflection:
Technology enhances this lesson by allowing students to become engaged and
excited about the content that they are learning. The interactive quiz can be done in
groups which gives students the opportunity to work as a team and improve social
skills. Technology in this lesson also gives flexibility to the teacher because it
allows them control of how they create the quiz. Once the students finish the quiz
the teacher can see how the student have progressed, if the quiz is administered
individually.
This lesson utilizes two of the multiple intelligences as described by Gardener. The
first intelligence used is logical-mathematical, the students are required to analyze
a math word problem and use their existing knowledge of math to answer these
questions. The second intelligence that is used in this lesson is interpersonal,
students have the opportunity to work on this skill because of the group activities
that they participate in.
The students are in the evaluating and analyzing level of Blooms Taxonomy
during this lesson. Students are having to understanding and identify what is going
on in the math word problem.

ETEC 424 @ Texas A&M University-Commerce Last Updated on October 11th 2014