Math Word Problems Can Help Students Make Sense of Math
We know real world application and context is an important part of math class, but do your students see word problems as a challenge or as a tool? The truth is they can be both!
When we think of young children just beginning to understand operations, the need for tangible objects and application is obvious. As students get older and the math gets more abstract, context can still be the key that helps them make sense of the math.
Let’s use expressions and equations to see how context can add meaning.
As we teach equations, we need students to understand simplifying expressions, and we may find ourselves saying things like…
Multiply all the terms inside the parentheses by the number or factor in front.
Combine terms that share the same variable and exponent.
While these “rules” may get the job done, they become very abstract and often meaningless to many students. Without connecting the steps to real world application, students may incorrectly apply the rules or forget them later. Instead of overtly telling students these rules, consider how the following prompts can make students think about the math.
The difference in providing context instead of just applying rules is not that the math is more difficult. It may “feel” more difficult to students because they are required to think. Some students may complain that this type of application is challenging, while others may appreciate being able to make sense of the answer.
As we teach writing and solving equations, once again the steps can seem meaningless to many students. Connecting the equations to real world application can help deepen their understanding. Consider the following two word problems.
They both involve many of the same numbers, yet the solutions are not the same. These can prompt students to carefully think about the operations they are choosing as they write and solve each equation.
When I was taught math, I remember usually being told the procedures and then later applying those procedures to word problems in a very routine manner. Although I was able to answer the word problems, I did not need to think too much. I want students thinking along the way as we learn new concepts. When students figure out solution strategies, they are able to make sense of them. They are more likely to apply those strategies correctly to new problems in the future, which is the goal!
The beauty of word problems is that they challenge students to think deeper while making the math more relatable.
If you like the example problems shown here, you can find them in these resources:
Thank you for reading! I would love to hear ways you have used context to add meaning in your math class. Drop me a comment below.
-Rachael
