Lesson Plan
Word Problem Wizardry
Students will be able to solve one- and two-step word problems involving addition, subtraction, and division.
Understanding how to solve word problems helps students apply math skills to real-life situations and builds critical thinking.
Audience
3rd Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Engaging activity with scenario-based problems and group collaboration.
Materials
Word Problem Wizardry Slide Deck, Word Problem Wizard Cards, Word Problem Worksheet, Pencils, and Whiteboard or projector
Prep
Preparation Steps
15 minutes
- Review the Word Problem Wizardry Slide Deck and Word Problem Wizard Cards.
- Print and cut out the Word Problem Wizard Cards (one set per small group).
- Print copies of the Word Problem Worksheet (one per student).
- Ensure projector or whiteboard is ready for displaying slides.
Step 1
Introduction (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Word Problem Wizardry Slide Deck.
- Engage students with the idea of becoming 'Word Problem Wizards' by using their math powers.
- Briefly review addition, subtraction, and division as tools for solving problems.
Step 2
Guided Practice: One-Step Problems (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Display slides with example one-step problems from the Word Problem Wizardry Slide Deck.
- As a class, work through a couple of examples together, emphasizing identifying keywords and choosing the correct operation.
- Distribute Word Problem Wizard Cards to small groups (3-4 students per group).
- Have groups solve one or two one-step problems from the cards, discussing their strategies.
Step 3
Independent Practice: Two-Step Problems (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Display slides with example two-step problems from the Word Problem Wizardry Slide Deck.
- Explain that some problems need two steps to solve, like finding an intermediate answer before the final one.
- Work through one two-step example problem as a class.
- Instruct students to continue working in their groups on the remaining problems from the Word Problem Wizard Cards, which include two-step problems.
- Circulate and provide support as needed.
Step 4
Wrap-up & Share (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Have a few groups share their solutions and strategies for one- or two-step problems they solved from the Word Problem Wizard Cards.
- Distribute the Word Problem Worksheet for homework or an extension activity.
- Remind students that practice makes them stronger 'Word Problem Wizards'!
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Slide Deck
Welcome, Word Problem Wizards!
Are you ready to use your math powers to solve tricky problems?
Welcome students and introduce the concept of becoming Word Problem Wizards. Ask them what a 'wizard' does.
What's a Word Problem?
- A story with numbers!
- It asks you to find an answer.
- You use addition, subtraction, or division to solve it.
Explain that word problems are like puzzles that tell a story. We need to find the math clues.
One-Step Problems: Addition
Keywords: total, in all, altogether, sum, plus, add
Example: Sarah had 5 apples. Her friend gave her 3 more. How many apples does Sarah have in all?
Solution: 5 + 3 = 8 apples
Review keywords for addition and model a simple one-step problem.
One-Step Problems: Subtraction
Keywords: left, remain, difference, how many more, take away, minus
Example: Tom had 10 cookies. He ate 4 cookies. How many cookies does Tom have left?
Solution: 10 - 4 = 6 cookies
Review keywords for subtraction and model a simple one-step problem.
One-Step Problems: Division
Keywords: share, equally, group, divide, each (when splitting a total)
Example: A teacher has 12 pencils and wants to share them equally among 3 students. How many pencils does each student get?
Solution: 12 ÷ 3 = 4 pencils
Review keywords for division and model a simple one-step problem.
Two-Step Problems: Double the Fun!
- Some problems need two math steps!
- Solve the first part, then use that answer to solve the second part.
- Think: What do I need to find out first?
Introduce the idea of two-step problems. Emphasize finding the hidden first step.
Two-Step Example
Problem: Emily had 15 stickers. She bought 7 more, then gave 3 to her brother. How many stickers does Emily have now?
Step 1 (Add): 15 + 7 = 22 stickers
Step 2 (Subtract): 22 - 3 = 19 stickers
Answer: Emily has 19 stickers.
Model a two-step problem involving addition and subtraction.
Your Turn, Wizards!
Work with your group to solve the word problems on your Word Problem Wizard Cards!
Remember to:
- Read carefully.
- Find the clues.
- Decide the operation(s).
- Solve!
Encourage students to work with their groups on the cards. Remind them to think about one or two steps.
Great Job, Wizards!
You've practiced using your math powers to solve different kinds of word problems!
Keep practicing to become even stronger Word Problem Wizards!
Conclude by reminding them they are growing their math powers.
Activity
Word Problem Wizard Cards
Cut out these cards and give one set to each small group. Students will work together to solve the problems, showing their work on a separate sheet of paper.
Card 1 (One-Step Addition)
Maria picked 18 strawberries. Her brother picked 12 strawberries. How many strawberries did they pick in total?
Card 2 (One-Step Subtraction)
A baker made 35 cookies. He sold 20 of them. How many cookies does the baker have left?
Card 3 (One-Step Division)
There are 24 students in a class, and they need to be divided into 4 equal teams. How many students will be on each team?
Card 4 (Two-Step: Add then Subtract)
David had 15 toy cars. His grandma gave him 8 more for his birthday. Then, he lost 3 cars. How many toy cars does David have now?
Card 5 (Two-Step: Subtract then Divide)
There were 30 balloons at a party. 6 balloons popped. The remaining balloons were shared equally among 3 children. How many balloons did each child get?
Card 6 (Two-Step: Add then Divide)
Sarah collected 14 seashells on Monday and 10 seashells on Tuesday. She wants to put all her seashells into 4 equal bags. How many seashells will be in each bag?
Card 7 (Two-Step: Mixed Operations)
Mr. Lee bought 2 bags of oranges, with 9 oranges in each bag. He used 5 oranges to make juice. How many oranges does Mr. Lee have left?
Card 8 (Challenge: Two-Step Mixed Operations)
A bookstore had 40 adventure books. They sold 16 books on Monday and then received a new shipment of 10 books. If they want to arrange the total number of adventure books equally on 3 shelves, how many books will be on each shelf?
Worksheet
Word Problem Worksheet
Directions: Read each word problem carefully and solve it. Show your work!
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There are 25 red apples and 15 green apples in a basket. How many apples are there in total?
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A farmer had 48 pumpkins. He sold 12 pumpkins at the market. How many pumpkins does he have left?
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Ms. Davis wants to give 18 stickers equally to her 6 students. How many stickers will each student get?
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Jason had 30 marbles. He won 10 more marbles, but then he lost 5. How many marbles does Jason have now?
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A box has 3 bags of candy, and each bag has 7 pieces of candy. If 5 pieces of candy are eaten, how many pieces are left?
Answer Key
Word Problem Worksheet Answer Key
- Problem: There are 25 red apples and 15 green apples in a basket. How many apples are there in total?
- Thought Process: The phrase