| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} | 
| Which subject | Mathematics | 
| What topic | finding the key words in story problems to determine the operation | 
| What length (min) | 20 | 
| What age group | Year or Grade 3 | 
| Class size | 5 | 
| What curriculum | |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 5 | 
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments | 
Finding Key Words in Story Problems to Determine the Operation
Year/Grade 3
Mathematics
5 students
This lesson aligns with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, particularly focusing on problem-solving and operations and algebraic thinking.
| Step Number | Step Title | Length (minutes) | Details | 
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Homework Check | 5 | Review the homework without students presenting. Provide feedback on common errors and strengths observed. | 
| 2 | Introduction to Key Words | 3 | Explain the importance of key words in story problems. Provide examples of key words for each operation. | 
| 3 | Group Activity Setup | 2 | Distribute printable cards to each student. Explain the activity and how they will identify key words in a story problem. | 
| 4 | Story Problem Practice | 5 | Present several story problems. Ask students to work in pairs to identify key words and decide on the operations. | 
| 5 | Collecting Responses | 3 | Randomly collect or check the cards filled by students. Ensure understanding of the key words and operations. | 
| 6 | Lesson Wrap-up | 2 | Summarize the key points discussed in class, re-emphasizing the importance of key words in solving story problems. | 
"Good morning, class! Let's start today's lesson by checking your homework. I want you to take a moment to look at your assignments from last time. Did everyone manage to complete the problems? Great! I'm going to share some feedback based on what I observed while reviewing them.
I noticed that many of you did really well with the addition problems, but some of you struggled with the subtraction ones. Remember, when you're subtracting, it’s important to check if the numbers make sense in the context of the story. If you have any specific questions about the homework or any part you found challenging, feel free to ask.
Now, let’s get ready to dive into today’s topic!"
"Today, we'll be talking about key words in story problems. Can anyone tell me what they think a key word is?
(Key responses from students)
Good answers! Key words are important because they can help us determine which math operation to use when solving a problem. For instance, words like 'total' or 'sum' signal that we should add, while 'difference' suggests subtraction. Let's take a look at some common key words:
Can anyone think of a story problem that might use one of these key words?"
"Now, let's get into a fun activity! I will distribute printable cards to each of you. On these cards, you will find various story problems.
Your task is to identify the key words in each problem and decide which mathematical operation they indicate. Remember to think about the definitions of those key words we just discussed!
Once everyone has their cards, I’ll explain how we will work together in pairs. Ready? Let’s hand these out!"
"Fantastic! Now that you have your cards, I want you to work with a partner. Take turns reading the story problems on your cards aloud. As you read, identify the key words and discuss with your partner what operation you think you should use.
Remember to support each other and think critically about the key words you find. I’ll give you about five minutes for this practice. Go ahead!"
"Time's up, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed discussing the story problems with your peers. Now I would like to randomly collect a few of your cards to review.
As I go through them, I want you to be prepared to share your thoughts on the key words you identified and the operation you chose. Remember, this is not just about getting the right answer; it’s about understanding how you arrived at it.
Let’s see what you’ve got!"
"Great job today, class! I’m really impressed with how you all identified key words and determined the operations.
Just to wrap things up, let’s quickly summarize: Key words in story problems help us know whether to add, subtract, multiply, or divide. Remember that understanding these words is crucial for solving math problems effectively.
As you move forward, keep practicing this skill, and don't hesitate to ask questions if you need help. Does anyone have any last questions before we finish?"
| Slide Number | Image | Slide Content | 
|---|---|---|
| 1 | {Image: A teacher reviewing homework} | - Homework check on assignments from last lesson | 
| - Positive feedback on addition problems | ||
| - Common struggles with subtraction | ||
| - Importance of context in subtraction | ||
| 2 | {Image: Sticky notes with key words on them} | - Introduction to key words in story problems | 
| - Key words help determine math operations: | ||
| - Addition: 'total', 'sum', 'combined', 'altogether' | ||
| - Subtraction: 'left', 'remaining', 'fewer' | ||
| - Multiplication: 'each', 'product' | ||
| - Division: 'per', 'share', 'divide' | ||
| 3 | {Image: Students receiving cards} | - Setup for group activity | 
| - Distribution of printable story problem cards | ||
| - Identify key words and corresponding operations | ||
| - Emphasis on discussing definitions of key words | ||
| 4 | {Image: Students working in pairs} | - Story problem practice with partners | 
| - Take turns reading problems aloud | ||
| - Identify key words and discuss operations | ||
| - Encouragement to support each other | ||
| 5 | {Image: Teacher collecting cards} | - Collecting responses from students | 
| - Sharing thoughts on identified key words and chosen operations | ||
| - Focus on understanding the problem-solving process | ||
| - Wrap-up recap of importance of key words | 
| Question | Answer | 
|---|---|
| What are some key words that indicate addition in story problems? | |
| Can you name key words that suggest subtraction? | |
| What key word would you listen for if the operation needed is multiplication? | |
| Which words signal that you should divide when solving a problem? | |
| Why are key words important when solving story problems? | |
| How can understanding key words help you with your math homework? | |
| Can you give an example of a story problem that includes key words? | |
| How did working with a partner help you identify key words today? | |
| What operations should you use for the key words "in total" and "remaining"? | |
| Why is it important to check if the numbers make sense in the context of the story? |