Word problems shouldn’t be a guessing game. When students understand the underlying structures of word problems, they develop stronger problem-solving skills, deeper conceptual understanding, and more confidence in applying math to real-world situations.
This session introduces educators to the power of teaching word problem types and structures—such as joining, separating, comparison, and part-whole problems—as a foundation for mathematical reasoning. Participants will explore research-based strategies from thought leaders like John Van de Walle, Marilyn Burns, and Dr. Nicki Newton to help students make sense of problems, visualize relationships, and choose appropriate strategies.
Through hands-on examples, classroom routines, and discussion, educators will leave with practical tools to:
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Teach students how to recognize and represent problem structures
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Support flexible thinking and multiple solution pathways
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Shift the focus from keywords and tricks to true mathematical understanding
Whether you’re new to teaching word problems or looking to refine your approach, this session will help you transform word problems from a source of frustration into a rich opportunity for thinking, talking, and learning math.