Learning Activity

Making a Difference Solving Word Problems

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

1

Overview

This learning activity will provide online practice with solving word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, taking apart, and comparing with unknowns in all positions. The students will use strategies they learned to solve the problems presented to them in this engaging online game. This is a helpful tool to measure the students' application of skills.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 1

MA19.1.1

Use addition and subtraction to solve word problems within 20 by using concrete objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.1.1

Vocabulary

  • Change unknown
  • Put together
  • Take apart
  • Compare

Knowledge

Students know:
  • addition and subtraction strategies and models.
  • how to form an equation.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • represent quantities and operations (addition & subtraction) with concrete objects, pictorially, or symbolically.
  • Use informal and mathematical language to communicate the representations.
  • Accurately compute sums and differences.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • addition is both putting together and adding to. subtraction is taking apart, taking from, and comparisons.
  • Mathematical problems can be solved using a variety of strategies. models, and representations.
  • variables in the form of blanks, boxes, or letters, represent unknown quantities when representing mathematical situations algebraically.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 1

MA19.1.2

Solve word problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose sum is less than or equal to 20 by using concrete objects, drawings, or equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.1.4

Vocabulary

  • Addend

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The relationship between addition and subtraction.
  • how to explain subtraction as an unknown addend.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • use symbols such as blanks, boxes, or letters to represent unknown quantities in equations.
  • Communicate the connections between subtraction and addition.
  • Use the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction to find differences.
  • Choose and apply addition and subtraction strategies to accurately determine sums and differences within 20.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • addition and subtraction have an inverse relationship that can be used to solve problems.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 1

MA19.1.4

Explain subtraction as an unknown-addend problem.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.1.4

Vocabulary

  • Addend

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The relationship between addition and subtraction.
  • how to explain subtraction as an unknown addend.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • use symbols such as blanks, boxes, or letters to represent unknown quantities in equations.
  • Communicate the connections between subtraction and addition.
  • Use the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction to find differences.
  • Choose and apply addition and subtraction strategies to accurately determine sums and differences within 20.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • addition and subtraction have an inverse relationship that can be used to solve problems.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 1

MA19.1.8

Solve for the unknown whole number in various positions in an addition or subtraction equation, relating three whole numbers that would make it true.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.1.8

Vocabulary

  • Equation

    • Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Strategies for solving simple addition or subtraction equations with one unknown.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • solve simple addition and subtraction equations.
    • Justify and explain their thinking.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • equalities contain expressions that name the same amount on each side of the equal sign, even with quantities unknown.

    Phase

    After/Explain/Elaborate
    Learning Objectives

    Learning Objectives

    • The student will use addition and subtraction to solve problems within 20.
    • The student will determine the unknown whole number in addition and subtraction equations.
    • The student will use strategies to solve a variety of word problems.

    Activity Details

    1. The student will use a computer to go to the website.
    2. The student will click on the arrow to begin listening to directions.
    3. The student will click on the arrow to enter the game to begin to play.
    4. The student will complete the tasks in the game.
    5. While the students are working, the teacher will monitor and check students' work for understanding and the use of learned strategies.
    Assessment Strategies

    Assessment Strategies

    The teacher will observe the students while they play the game.  The teacher can use the following questions to guide his/her assessment of student progress toward mastering the standards:

    • Did the student move freely using the online manipulatives to solve the problems?
    • Did the student show an understanding of the problem presented?
    • Did the student apply knowledge from learning activities to solve story problems online?

    Variation Tips

    • Allow students to have paper and pencil for solving problems.
    • Allow students access to manipulatives for solving problems.
    • Allow students to work in pairs.

    Background and Preparation

    Background / Preparation

    • Obtain internet-capable devices and/or computers for the students.
    • Make sure all have access to the website.
    • The teacher may want to have the exact game pulled up for students who may struggle using the computer.
    • The teacher will need to review before playing the game.

    Digital Tools / Resources

    Word Problem Practice Game: "MOLLY ADDS & SUBTRACTS FROM 20"
    https://www.abcya.com/games/first_grade_word_problems_add_subtract

    Approved Date

    Owner (Author)

    kimhenderson
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