aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	Mathematics
What age group	Year or Grade 3
What topic	Word problems using all 4 operations
Quantity	1
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Exciting Start to Maths Lesson: Word Problems with All Four Operations

Introduction: The Mystery of the Missing Cookies

Setting the Scene

Imagine you are a detective in a bustling village bakery known for its delicious cookies! One sunny afternoon, the baker, Mrs Crumble, discovers that her cookie jars are not as full as they should be. She believes that something mysterious is happening, and it's up to us, as clever mathematicians, to help her solve the case.

The Challenge

Today, we will dive into the world of word problems, using all four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Each problem will bring us closer to figuring out the mystery of the missing cookies!

The Investigation Begins

Let’s start with an intriguing question from Mrs Crumble herself:

“If I made 120 cookies yesterday and sold 45 of them, how many cookies do I have left?”

Engaging the Students

• Ask the Class: “What do you think? How can we find out how many cookies are left?”
• Encourage Discussion: Students can discuss in pairs whether they should add or subtract, and why.
• Visual Aid: Draw a large cookie jar on the board and ask students to illustrate the problem by drawing the cookies that are being sold and those remaining.

Transition to Learning

Once we solve Mrs Crumble’s cookie problem together, we will create our own word problems in small groups, using scenarios that excite us—maybe about toy collections, sports, or even adventures with our pets. Get ready to unleash your imagination and solve more mysteries!

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By framing the lesson as an engaging investigation, you not only motivate the students but also make the word problem content relevant and fun.