Collaborative Learning: Teaching Word Problems

For many elementary level students, word problems can be tricky and hard to navigate. Students must learn to identify key terms in the problem to accurately answer the question. Thus, the use of collaborative learning is crucial to maintain students focus and give them an authentic purpose for solving word problems.

Collaborative Learning Activity

A way to practice word problems through collaborative learning is an activity I like to call, . The teacher starts by dividing the  students into groups of 4 or 5 students and assign each group a word problem to work on. The students will work together to identify key terms that are integral in solving the problem, then will work together and solve the problem. After identifying key terms and solving the problem, students will be asked to explain why they chose the key terms they did and how this helped them solve the problem.

Finally the same group will work together to create their own math problem to have the class solve. They will have to create an answer key for their problem by identify the key terms of the problem and solve the problem.

Why it Works

Allowing students to work together in groups to create their own math problem allows students to think creatively, communicate to problem solve and gives students a purpose.