Word Problems in First Grade
Integrating Math and Literacy Using Success Criteria (Virtual Tour)
Stage of Literacy Development:
Stage 1: Beginning LiteracyStage 2: Consolidation / Fluency
Ages:
5-9
Grade Range:
1st 2nd 3rdFood Groups:
Primary: Knowledge Building, Reading Comprehension Strategies Secondary: Classroom Tips
Transcript
In math, it's very important to use language. Here is an example of solving addition and subtraction problems and paying attention to the language. One of the things that happens a lot in the first grade is that students read a problem and they don't understand the problem or they forget about the question and then they end up giving a solution that was not what was asked. To help them solve that problem, what I do is create Success Criteria where everything that is expected from them is here, and we discuss this together and then it's here when they go and solve a problem. For example, here, I tell them "read the problem several times" to make sure that you understood the problem. Then, "underline the information that you know to solve the problem", then find the question. That is key in solving math problems. Find the question because that is what you need to answer at the end. For them to know that they found the question, I need to see a circle around it. It's just a way for them to show me "okay, I found the question. Here it is." Okay, good move on. Draw pictures to show me your thinking and if the question is about flowers or cards or anything like that, I tell them, "okay, you have to draw pictures that relate to the problem". Then, if they're not sure about their answer with the pictures, they can use other tools which you can see here. Here's a chart that has all the other tools that we can use in math to do addition and subtraction, such as a number line. Then they write the number sentence, which sometimes as soon as they write this, they think they're done. So I say, "well but you haven't answered the question yet", so this is part of the problem and is key but you're not done yet. The thing is when they come here, they read this: "I answered the question I had circled before." That's when they are checking if they are done. Again, some of them are able to do it on their own, making sure that they have everything that is required of them before bringing it to me and saying I'm done. Some of them ask for help, "I think I'm done, but can you help me check the Success Criteria to see if I did everything that I was supposed to do". Then we go over, "okay, did you do this?" "Yes", "did you do this?, Yes". "Where is your number sentence?" "Oh, I forgot." Or "did you answer the question?" "Yes, here it is." "Okay, but let's check that answer because that wasnt what they were asking you. Read the question. Now answer your question. Does it relate to it?" "No, I answered something different." "Okay, so let's go back and make sure that you answer the question that they were asking you." So, this is a nice way to integrate language with math because that's one of the issues that students might have in the first grade, not knowing what it is that the problem is asking them to do. Either because they didn't read it properly, they didn't understand what it is, or they don't have a strategy to help them solve that problem.
Related References
Additional Links:
Reading Rockets: Reading and Understanding Written Math Problems http://www.readingrockets.org/article/reading-and-understanding-written-math-problems
Activity Objective
The goal of Word Problems in First Grade: Integrating Math and Literacy Using Success Criteria (Virtual Tour) is to create and display success criteria that increase students confidence and independence while solving math word problems. This teacher sets his students up for success by asking them to reference the success criteria as they go through various math problems. For example, he asks his students to circle the question as they read to ensure they're answering what is being asked and to use the various resources provided on the bulletin board to check their work.
Quick Tips
Additional Comments:
- Discuss, demonstrate and review the success criteria as a class to ensure student understanding. - Providing students with specific strategies on the bulletin board is a great way to motivate them to read!
Other Recipes by this Teacher
What are We Doing in Class Today?: Motivating Beginning Readers with a Daily Schedule (Virtual Tour)
K - 6th
Literacy CAFE in First Grade: Fostering Independence using a Menu of Strategies (Virtual Tour)
1st - 3rd
The Daily 5 in First Grade: Engaging Students with a Balanced Literacy Approach (Virtual Tour)
1st - 3rd
Predicting and Inferring: Scaffolding Comprehension Strategies using an Explicit Framework (Virtual Tour)
1st - 3rd
Revising and Editing in First Grade: Using Success Criteria to Focus the Writing Process (Virtual Tour)
K - 6th
