Summertime Math Stories

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling

• Continue the ongoing discussion by informing students that today they will learn a new strategy for solving math stories with missing variables.
• As you explain this, write the following equation on the board: 23 – ___ = 18
• Place an index card inside the blank spot within your equation and write the word “variable” inside of it.
• Explain to the students that a variable is an alphabet letter used in math to represent a missing number. Take the index card off, and replace it with the variable y.
• Explain to the students that their job today will be to solve math stories that have a missing number, or a missing variable.
• Remind students that great problem solvers handle word problems like a detective who looks for clues to help them solve a mystery. One way to look for clues is to circle important keywords.
• Review the Key Words Anchor Chart and use the following procedure to monitor for understanding:
• Ask students to make a plus sign or a minus sign with their fingers for each of the keywords you say:
• Total (+)
• Altogether (+)
• Fewer (-)
• Continue this exercise until students feel confident with their understanding of the key terms and what they entail.
• Draw a representation of the WIKED map on the board and write the following math story above it: Cara and Susan have a hat collection totaling 52 hats. If there are 12 hats in Cara’s house, how many are there in Susan’s house?
• Use the WIKED map on the board to model how a student would use it to solve for the missing addend.
• Repeat this exercise 2 times.

Guided Practice

• Draw names from your name jar, or call students at random to participate in coming up to the board and solving for a missing variable using the WIKED map.
• Repeat the exercise with two more students or as time permits.

Independent working time

• Provide students with a sheet-protected copy of the WIKED map, the Summer Time Math Stories handout, and dry erase markers.
• Have students use dry-erase markers to use, and re-use the WIKED map as a solving strategy.
• Once they feel comfortable with the map, ask students to generate their own word stories and exchange it with a partner for problem solving.