Why writing math word problems is important for students:
Stop and think about when you really learned the most with math word problems? As a student learning math, I was able to follow steps and procedures to “DO” the math, but did I really understand it? No.
I think about division. When my students approach a math word problem, they grab the numbers and pull them into the division algorithm and solve. When I ask them what the divisor means, I often get blank stares.
As a student, did I care what the numbers meant? Heck no. I pulled what I needed for the math word problem. Then, I solved it, added a label onto it and moved on when my teacher told me, “Good job!”
It wasn’t until I became a teacher and had to TEACH division that I started paying attention to what the divisor, dividend, remainder or place value within the problem meant.
My point is, when we do, that is to say when we TEACH, we learn more. This is why having students WRITE their own math word problems is SO important.
Writing math word problems builds a positive math identity:
We are constantly asking our students to SOLVE math word problems. Exposure and experience with word problems IS important for a couple of reasons:
1. It deepens experience with math word problems which makes them more likely to solve similar problems in the future successfully.
2. It builds their confidence in approaching math word problems, when properly supported in the problem solving practice
But, we often have a more difficult time having students WRITE their own problems.
Time is a HUGE reason why. Our math blocks are limited and the time it takes students to write their own word problems can take up the ENTIRE math block we have. That’s why I dedicate 30 minutes of my day to a daily word problem routine for my students. I know, you can roll your eyes at me and I will 100% understand.
But, if we want to build habits and math identities, then we have to practice those habits daily.
Part of this routine includes time for students to WRITE their own word problem based on the word problem type we solved using our DAILY NUMBERLESS WORD PROBLEM of the day.
How can you support students in writing their own math word problems?
1. Focus on ONE problem type:
There are eight common word problem types in upper elementary. Narrowing students focus down to ONE type of word problem helps them feel less overwhelmed.
Instead of telling students to write a multiplication word problem, asking them to write an area word problem where the AREA is not known helps them feel more confident in writing their own.
2. Use sentence frames and anchor charts:
We know that sentence frames work in writing, so using them in writing word problems is of course a great idea to support young math authors. Give students examples of situations where these types of problems may commonly occur, as well as context clues will better help them write a successful word problem.
3. Keep a journal to track student progress
Any notebook will do, but having a space where students solve numberless word problems of the day, and write their own is a great way for them to reflect back on their work. Likewise, it helps them see how they have grown as a math author. We all know that seeing our progress motivates us and helps us feel successful. This is a confidence BOOST.
4. Use student authored problems in classroom learning
The benefit of keeping a journal helps you create a student centered classroom. When we take student authored problems and use them in classroom learning, we give students a voice in the learning environment. We know that relationships matter, and there is no better way to build relationships with your students than to use student created content in learning.
Wrapping up:
Creating a space for encountering, solving, and crafting word problems is the key that you are looking for to improve your math block. This daily routine will give your students the confidence they need to solve word problems without shutting down.
Want to learn more? Be sure to grab your FREE word problem anchor charts below. You can find out more about my three part method for teaching word problems in the PopPD course Making Sense of Math: Word Problems.
Want your own copy of the word problem situation anchor charts to support your students in writing their own? Click below to grab yours!
