Word Problem help:
You find the labels (nouns) and you look to see if the labels are the same or really different. If the labels are ALL the same, then you will either add or subtract. If the labels are different, you will either multiply or divide. Now, division has what the researcher calls a D2: If the labels are the SAME on top and different on bottom, then you know it will be a division problem as well. They also have to look for clue words in the story problem and circle and underline (circle numbers ~ underline labels). Students write CW above any clue words. This is what it looks like when they show their work:
(CW) CW
Sheila had 4 apples. Brian had 9 apples. How many apples do they in all? (CW)
4 apples
9 apples
____________
? apples
**All labels are the same & your clue word tells us IN All; therefore, we will add to solve. This is also how you would set up a subtraction problem ~ of course, your clue words are different.
(CW) (CW)
Sheila and her 4 friends have 30 apples to share equally. How many apples
will Sheila and each of her friends receive?
4 friends + Sheila = 5 friends
30 apples
__________
? apples
**The labels are different; therefore, I know I'm going to multiply or
divide. The clue word tells me EACH friend will receive. So, I now, this will be a division problem since they are sharing them equally.
Multiplication labels will also look like the above example....
**Division 2 looks like this: same label
same label
____________
different label