One of the most frustrating part of word problems for many students is often identifying which operation to use. Our students may be able to use strategies to solve each operation, but if they cannot identify the correct operation, that won’t matter. I have found over the years that most of my students who highly dislike word problems (we don’t say hate in my classroom), highly dislike them because they often choose the wrong operation and may not even know how to choose the correct operation. Over the years, I have paid close attention to what helps my students with identifying the correct math operation and have compiled a list for you!
Check out my 5 tips for helping your students identify the CORRECT math operations:
- Don’t just rely on keywords! I know this is a controversial topic and I am not saying ignore key words altogether, but if our students ONLY rely on keywords, it is easy for them to identify the incorrect operation. In my class, we use the keywords to help us narrow down operations and then we use our reasoning to choose the correct math operation. My students think about what each operation means and reason to see if the operation they are thinking makes sense. So, if a student tells me they chose it because of a keyword, I ask them, “Why does that make sense?” or “What is your reasoning besides the keyword?”.
- Use motions to help students identify math operations! Some people think using hand motions in upper elementary is too childish, but my upper elementary students actually love them and it is a great way to reach different types of learners in your class. As we talk and learn about different math operations throughout the year, we create hand motions for each operation to help students understand that operation and remember the function of it. For example: For multiplication, we say it is putting equal groups together. Students cup their hands to represent groups and then end by putting both groups together in a clapping motion. I highly recommend that you have your students help you create the motions because they will remember and use them more that way!
- Word Problem of the Day! I love doing a problem of the day for many reasons, but one of the reasons is that it gives me a chance to model my thinking when I am choosing the math operation for a word problem. After students complete the problem of the day (this is a great morning work activity), we come back and check it together. Most of the time, I model how I would solve it. When choosing the math operation, I show students my thinking by talking out loud about what I was thinking when I chose the operation. Occasionally, I have a student show how they solved the problem and prompt them with questions to show their thinking for choosing the math operation.
- Give students steps to help them with choosing the operation! Some students need to see the steps to be able to identify the operation on their own. Eventually, students will not need to see the steps every time, but this is a great way to scaffold for students who need additional support. Click here to check out my 4 operations math posters that are a great reference to help with this. The more visuals you can provide your students who need additional support, the better.
- Practice, Practice, Practice! We all know the phrase “practice makes perfect” and even though I do not agree with that phrase (when are we ever perfect?), I do agree that more practice makes it easier and more natural. Our goal with word problems is that our students would be able to identify the correct operation AND solve the problem correctly independently, but getting there takes practice. The more you can add in word problem activities that students have to identify the operation, the better. In my 4 Operations Word Problem Bundle, I share some of my favorite activities to help my students practice identifying math operations without just giving them a worksheet full of word problems.
Want some activities and resources to help implement these tips and help your students practice identifying math operations in word problems? This bundle contains mine and my students 4 favorite resources to help practice identifying operations and solving word problems!
