Problems are all based on high interest, “amazing” sports facts. Note that students are encouraged to write coordinating “number sentences” to demonstrate complete understanding of the operations used. It is recommended that you teach multiple ways to show a variable…an empty box, a question mark, and letters as typically seen in algebra. They can do it!

The Common Core clearly states that students should be able to solve a variety of real-world math problems where the “variable” moves to different locations in the number sentence. Refer to pages 88 and 89 (Tables 1 and 2) for further clarification. All four operations are used with numbers of varying sizes and even different units of measure.

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Looking for more AMAZING word problem resources?

Amazing Animal Facts Word Problems

Amazing Sports Facts Word Problems

Amazing Human Body Facts Word Problems

Amazing Geography Facts Word Problems

A BUNDLE OF ALL 4 SETS!

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All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this problem set entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.

The post Word Problems Task Cards Amazing Sports Facts–Mixed Operations appeared first on The Teacher Studio.

Not sure what this means? Instead of having the answer be the RESULT of each story (12 + 16 = 28), these word problems have other “unknowns”. A matching equation for these problems might be 12 + ___ = 26, a much more challenging but important skill. This is a critical part of the Common Core and other state standards.

Problems are included in FOUR formats:

• with multiple copies on a page to be cut out and glued into a math journal

• on reproducible pages to use as practice sheets (4 problems per page)

• and on full sheet pages that give work space for one problem, a place for students to write matching equations, and a lined area for students to explain their work—an important part of the CCSS!

• And full digital access!

Answers are included as are three rubrics to use to help in scoring the Standards for Mathematical Practice!

The 20 problems included require students to use all four operations to solve a variety of problems. These problems are geared for students in grades 3 and 4. Each problem has an “EXTRA” part to make differentiation easy!

Why did I write these?

Over the years I have noticed that students tend to look for routine in math class. If it’s a division unit, they will divide any two numbers they find! If it’s a subtraction unit, they try to regroup everything!

For that reason, I try hard to sprinkle in a variety of problems all year that require students to think and apply what they have learned—perhaps draw a picture or make a table to help . . . but, most importantly, to THINK about math. I hope you find these useful!

I hope you find uses for all three versions of the problems…perhaps using a page or two from each as you see fit. You can use this to teach a mini unit on algebraic thinking problems or simply use them throughout the year to improve problem solving!

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Want to see some other word problem resources? Here is just a sampling of the many resources in my store!

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Multi-Step Word Problems for Grades 3/4

Word Problem Bundled Set for Grades 4/5

Word Problem Bundled Set for Grades 3/4

Back to School Word Problems

Seasonal Word Problem bundle (individual sets also available)

“Amazing Facts” Task Card Bundle (individual sets also available)

CGI Word Problem Bundle (individual sets also available)

All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this problem set entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.

The post Algebraic Thinking Word Problems – Algebraic Reasoning Problems – Grade 3 & 4 appeared first on The Teacher Studio.

Are you familiar with concept sorts? Many people use “sorts” with their spelling or word work programs, but sorting and categorizing can be extremely effective learning strategies for MANY areas! I have found sorts to be particularly effective in my math instruction, and I am excited to begin offering some of these sorts to you! If you are unfamiliar with how sorts are used, I have included a full blog post with photos to help get you started! So…what’s included in THIS resource?

• Everything you need to do 5 different sorts related to algebra thinking concepts. The concepts covered vary from “What does ‘equal’ really mean?” to solving simple algebraic expressions such as “4n – 5 = 11”. Believe it or not…with the simple lessons that are suggested, your fourth and fifth grade students (or GREAT for review/remedial middle school work!) can easily learn how to “balance” sides of an equation, recognize that some expressions have “sets” of numbers for answers, and what a variable is. Never taught this before? NO WORRIES! I have included teaching tips as well as an actual blog post to show you how to use it!

• This blog post has actual photos that explain EXACTLY how I completed a sort with my own students. Feel free to get creative and try different approaches—but I have given one highly effective and efficient way to do this.

• What else? Each of the 5 sorts has a “Show What You Know” sheet that follows the rule of the sort. Use as independent practice or as an assessment after you have done a sort to see what the students know and what they still need to learn. Many of these also ask students to explain their thinking—a key part of the CCSS!

• Also included with each sort is a page of blank cards if you wish to extend the learning by having students create MORE examples that go in each category. This is a great way to differentiate for more capable learners! See each sort for other differentiation hints!

• Hey–there’s no answer key! Why? The important part about doing these sorts is the discussion rather than making sure every answer is instantly correct. Let the students discuss, prove their ideas, and develop understanding!

• A CCSS alignment sheet to show how these sorts align to the grades 4-5 CCSS.

I hope you find the resource thorough, relevant, and engaging–and that it will push your students to increase the depth of their understanding and their mathematical practices as well.

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What other sets of concept sorts are available in my store?

Fraction Concepts

Angle Studies

Geometry Sorts

Multiplication Concepts

Algebra Thinking Concepts

A Bundle of ALL FIVE!

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This algebra thinking resource is also available as part of a “Teaching Tandem” product where you can get this resource AND a set of task cards to develop the concept of “equals” combined at a reduced price.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

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All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this resource entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.

The post Algebraic Thinking Math Sorts – Balancing Equations and Algebraic Expressions appeared first on The Teacher Studio.

• with multiple copies on a page to be cut out and glued into a math journal

• on reproducible pages to use as practice sheets (2 problems per page)

• on full sheet pages that give workspace for one problem, a place for students to write matching equations, and a lined area for students to explain their work—an important part of the CCSS!

• and now FULLY DIGITAL so you can send slides to students via Google Slides!

Answers are included as is are three rubrics to use to help in scoring the Standards for Mathematical Practice!

The 20 problems included require students to use addition and subtraction strategies to solve real world problems. These problems are geared for students in grades 2 and 3 and stress addition and subtraction with regrouping | they are perfect for older students who need problem solving practice with smaller numbers.

Why did I write these?

Over the years I have noticed that students tend to look for routine in math class. If it’s a division unit, they will divide any two numbers they find! If it’s a subtraction unit, they try to regroup everything!

For that reason, I try hard to sprinkle in a variety of problems all year that require students to think and apply what they have learned—perhaps draw a picture or make a table to help . . . but, most importantly, to THINK about math. I hope you find these useful!

I hope you find uses for all three versions of the problems…perhaps using a page or two from each as you see fit. You can use this to teach a mini unit on multi-step problems or simply use them throughout the year to improve problem solving!

Watch for a more challenging set in this format for grades 3-4 and 4-5.

All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this problem set entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.

The post Algebraic Thinking Word Problems: Grade 2-3 Story Problems | Distance Learning appeared first on The Teacher Studio.

The concept of “equals” is such an essential mathematical concept—and one that is often not taught explicitly in many math programs. Consider the following problem:

5 + 8 = ____ + 3

Students have a good sense of the concept of equals know that “10” goes in the box. Every year, I am shocked by the number of students who think it is “13”—or that the problem can’t be done at all! Many students are programmed to think that the “=“ sign means “find the answer” when, in actuality, it is a sign indicating that the two sides balance.

Deep understanding of this helps down the road with algebra and other more advanced math—and also makes a smooth transition to INequalities as well. Moving our “box” (or “variable”, or a letter, or a line, or a question mark) to different places in equations helps students think about numbers and equality and not just filling in the blank. This task card set is geared toward helping students develop this understanding. I tell them that they are doing algebra—and they absolutely love it!

Consider doing a few of the early cards as a class to teach the concept and then let your students take off!

One of my students’ favorite activities is to make their OWN task cards, so once they have learned this concept, send them off to make their own cards at a variety of levels and then print and laminate those for your class to use as well. ENJOY!

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This resource is also available as part of a “Teaching Tandem” product where you can get this resource AND a set of algebra thinking concept sorts combined at a reduced price.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Want even MORE of them? Now there is a “Set 2”. Just CLICK HERE TO VIEW Set 2

It is also available as a digital task card resource in my GOOGLE EDITION resources!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

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All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this resource entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.

The post Algebraic Thinking Task Cards – Balancing Equations for Grades 3-5 appeared first on The Teacher Studio.

New to math sorts? Full directions and suggestions for use are included complete with photos!

Many people use “sorts” with their spelling or word work programs, but sorting and categorizing can be extremely effective learning strategies for MANY areas! I have found math sorts to be particularly effective in my math instruction, and I am excited to begin offering some of these sorts to you!

If you are unfamiliar with how sorts are used, I have included a full blog post with details. This blog post has actual photos that explain EXACTLY how I completed a sort with my own students. Feel free to get creative and try different approaches—but I have given one highly effective and efficient way to do this. It’s like professional development at your fingertips!

My students have become masters at critiquing reasoning and using sophisticated math talk as they discuss these sorts–and I have had COUNTLESS teachers tell me that they have used these sorts for their evaluations and have had administrators rave. Why?

Because they are engaging for students while promoting best practices in math instruction!

If you’ve never used sorts before, I am confident that the series of photos and detailed instructions will get you started–but then get creative and use them in other ways as you see fit.

Each sort also comes with a reproducible page on the topic which can be used as homework, a cooperative activity, or even an assessment. See what you think–this resource has prompted teachers to contact me saying how impressed their administrators were when they used it for an observation lesson–good instruction leads to good things!

Each of the 5 resources is listed separately below–but this bundle offers them all together at a greatly reduced price! That makes 25 total sorts.

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So what concepts are covered in this bundle?

Fraction Concepts

Angle Studies

Geometry Sorts

Multiplication Concepts

Algebra Thinking Concepts

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What do you get?

• The blog post with full directions

• The necessary headers and sort cards for each of the 25 sorts

• A “Show What You Know” sheet that follows the rule of each sort. Use as independent practice or as an assessment after you have done a sort to see what the students know and what they still need to learn. Many of these also ask students to explain their thinking—a key part of the CCSS,

• Also included with each sort is a page of blank cards if you wish to extend the learning by having students create MORE examples that go in each category. This is a great way to differentiate for more capable learners! See each sort for other differentiation hints!

Hey–there’s no answer key! Why? The important part about doing these sorts is the discussion rather than making sure every answer is instantly correct. Let the students discuss, prove their ideas, and develop understanding!

*A CCSS alignment sheet to show how these sorts align to the grades 4-5 CCSS. These sorts also tie to other sets of rigorous standards.

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What are people saying?

“Excellent resource. I used the ‘half’, ‘not half’ sort yesterday and it turned out to be one of my best lessons of the year! We spent an hour and 20 minutes on it and the kids were engaged the entire time!”

“Doing a concept sort is a great way to engage and differentiate instruction for every student…..A great way to engage, differentiate, and evaluate!! I have other sorts from you…so as soon as I saw on Facebook that you had another sort prepared for distribution…I wanted to be the first to grab it. Thank you for improving my instruction.”

“I used the line/segment sort as a preview to our geometry unit. This was a very challenging activity for my students. It required close attention to detail. It was great to see how many of them could persevere through this challenge. We will be trying the triangle sort next. Thanks for another great resource.”

I hope you find the resource thorough, relevant, and engaging–and that it will push your students to increase the depth of their understanding and their mathematical practices as well.

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All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this resource entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.

The post Math Sorts – 25 Math Lessons to Improve Math Talk & Find Math Misconceptions appeared first on The Teacher Studio.

These cards help students develop their math reasoning AND computation skills while having a fun and engaging task! My students LOVE these–and feel like real mathematicians when they figure them out!

NOW AVAILABLE WITH DIGITAL AND PRINT OPTIONS INCLUDED!

The first group of cards works to build understanding—and then they get increasingly more open-ended for students to “build” their own problems and show their understanding. I’ve even created a video to help you see how to teach using these cards. Just CLICK HERE to check it out!

Using algebraic thinking, logic, and number sense helps students begin to see how algebra concepts can make sense–even for elementary students! This set of 30 cards can be a fun and meaningful way to get students thinking.

Use as a math station…as a class review…with an intervention group…to send digitally—or throw individual cards under a document camera for a class warm up! I have included the cards in color and gray tones for complete flexibility. Recording sheets and answer key are included as well. Also included is a list of “rules” that can be shared with the class and/or printed to include with the cards.

Check out the preview and preview videos for more!

Not quite sure? Grab this free sample to try one! Balancing Equation Task Cards FREEBIE

Want another set of algebra thinking task cards? How about these?

Balancing Bubbles Task Cards

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Looking for even more algebra thinking resources?

Algebra Thinking Concept Sorts

Concept of Equals Task Cards

Teaching Tandem of BOTH resources

Algebra Thinking Word Problems

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All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this resource entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.

The post Balancing Equations Problem Solving Task Cards – Fun Math Challenge Activities appeared first on The Teacher Studio.

These could be exactly what you need! Think about the difference in these two problems:

Amy has 26 candies. Becca has 37 candies. How many do they have together?

or

Amy has 26 candies. If Amy and her friend Becca have 63 candies in all, how many must Becca have?

Too often, we take the thinking away! This set of problems will really get students THINKING about the math they need to do!

Over the years I have noticed that students tend to look for routine in math class. If it’s a division unit, they will divide any two numbers they find! If it’s a subtraction unit, they try to regroup everything!

For that reason, I try hard to sprinkle in a variety of problems all year that require students to think and apply what they have learned—perhaps draw a picture or make a table to help . . . but, most importantly, to THINK about math. I hope you find these algebraic thinking task cards useful–whether you are teaching that topic or are looking for a way to get students really thinking about problem solving.

NOW INCLUDES A DIGITAL COMPONENT AS WELL! All problems can be sent digitally and recorded either on the problem slides or an included answer sheet.

You can use this to teach a mini unit on problem solving or simply use them throughout the year to improve math thinking! The problems are written in such a way that third graders should be able to access them—perhaps (if needed) with the support of pictures, manipulatives, or teamwork. 4th graders should be able to handle them independently. They are great problems for students to work on persevering, for deciding which operation to use, and for sharing different solution strategies.

This set of 20 “Mixed Operations” task cards are perfect to use

• as whole class warm ups
• for small group instruction
• in math stations or centers
• as intervention groups
• as a digital option for even more flexibility

Although designed to be used with third and fourth graders, these cards would also be perfect to use with older students needing additional review with real world problems.

Answers are included as are three rubrics to use to help in scoring the Standards for Mathematical Practice! Cards are included in both color and low-ink, black and white versions for ultimate flexibility. There are blank recording sheets that can be used for students to track their work, or they can simply do their work in a notebook. Watch for many other sets available on a variety of topics and at many grade levels.

Check out the preview for more details!

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PLEASE NOTE:

This set of task cards is a version of THIS RESOURCE for people who prefer the problems in task card format. If you already own this resource, please know that the problems are the SAME but in a new format! If you prefer having the problems in three different formats, check the link above to see if that resource better suits your needs!

LOOKING FOR MORE WORD PROBLEM TASK CARDS?

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Word Problem Task Card Bundle (all four sets) for Grades 3-4

Algebra Thinking Problem Task Cards for Grades 3-4

Elapsed Time Problem Task Cards for Grades 3-4

Multi-Step Problem Task Cards for Grades 3-4

Mixed Operations Task Cards for Grades 3-4

Word Problem Task Card Bundle (all four sets) for Grades 4-5

Fraction Word Problem Task Cards for Grades 4-5

Measurement Word Problem Task Cards for Grades 4-5

Multi-Step Problem Task Cards for Grades 4-5

Mixed Operations Task Cards for Grades 4-5

….and even more in my store! Just search the “Math Task Cards” category on the left side of your screen!

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All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this problem set entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.

The post Algebraic Thinking Word Problem Task Cards: Grade 3-4 | Distance Learning appeared first on The Teacher Studio.

Although designed to be used with fourth and fifth graders, these cards would also be perfect to use with older students needing additional review with algebra thinking. NOW INCLUDES DIGITAL SLIDE ACCESS!

The 24 problems included require students to use different operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) to solve a variety of input/output problems.

Students may be able to see the mathematical pattern (ex. “This is a

times 3, then subtract 4 pattern.”) or may end up using guess and check strategies to solve the problems. Students are not expected to use algebraic reasoning—but I DID pull some of my top students to show them how to write these “expressions” with variables. They LOVED it!

What do you get?

• Answers are included as are three rubrics to use to help in scoring the Standards for Mathematical Practice!
• Cards are included in both color and low-ink, black and white versions for ultimate flexibility.
• There are blank recording sheets that can be used for students to track their work, or they can simply do their work in a notebook.
• Answer key!

WHY DID I CREATE THESE?

Over the years I have noticed that students are often in search of an easy answer…a “fill in the blank”. The simple fact is, math is sometimes more complicated than that! In this set of task cards I want students to struggle…something many have never had to do!

In these input/output problems, students need to recognize that when you put a number in (left side of chart), “something” happens in the machine and a new number comes out. It could be something simple—like the machine could add 3 or double the number—or it could be more complex—like the machine multiplies the number times 3 and then takes away 1.

These more complex operations are not immediately obvious and require students to do some real algebraic thinking, guessing and checking, and reasoning.

When I first started, I heard lots of “I don’t get it!” and “It’s impossible!”, so I projected a card on the screen and talked through my guess and check strategies. Full color photos are even included with some teaching ideas!

WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE LEVEL?

Cards 1 – 12

These cards involve one step—for example, “add 12” or “double”. They are great to get started…and may be enough for some students! We did the first four as a class, and then students worked in partners to try the others.

Cards 13 – 24

These last 12 cards have TWO steps…making the pattern FAR more challenging to find. Cards may have patterns such as “multiply by 9, then subtract 2” or “multiply by 3 and then add 8”. All four operations are included. These are NOT easy! Students may get frustrated but encourage them to persevere, work together, and use their brains! These would also be perfect for an enrichment group or a station for fast finishers.

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Interested in a set of other algebra challenges?

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

This resource is also available as part of a “Teaching Tandem” product where you can get this resource AND a set of algebra thinking concept sorts combined at a reduced price. CLICK HERE TO VIEW

This is also available as a digital task card resource in my GOOGLE EDITION resources! CLICK HERE TO VIEW

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All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this resource entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.

The post Input – Output Machine Math Challenge Task Cards – Function Machine Problems appeared first on The Teacher Studio.

Whether you teach in a Common Core state or not, it is critical that students learn to make sense of problems and determine whether or not it is an addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division situation.

Using tape diagrams is one way for students to really “see” how comparison problems work–and this resource is full of help for you as a teacher.

What do you get?

• Tons of teaching tips and lesson ideas including sample problems and actual photos of the resource in action.

• 20 comparison problems with two parts–a standard additive or multiplicative comparison problem PLUS a “challenge” piece for differentiation or fast finishers.

• 4 bonus problems for enrichment

• The 20 problems come in several formats for maximum flexibility. Color task cards, black and white task cards, and a math “sort” activity which really gets students thinking.

• 4 assessment options

• Answer key

Please check out the preview to see samples of everything you get.

Are you a Texas teacher? This supports:

(5) Algebraic reasoning. The student applies mathematical process standards to develop concepts of expressions and equations. The student is expected to:

(A) represent multi-step problems involving the four operations with whole numbers using strip diagrams and equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity

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Want to see some other word problem resources? Here is just a sampling of the many resources in my store!

Multi-Step Word Problems for Grades 3/4

Word Problem Bundled Set for Grades 4/5

Word Problem Bundled Set for Grades 3/4

Back to School Word Problems

Seasonal Word Problem bundle (individual sets also available)

“Amazing Facts” Task Card Bundle (individual sets also available)

CGI Word Problem Bundle (individual sets also available)

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All rights reserved by ©The Teacher Studio. Purchase of this problem set entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author at fourthgradestudio@gmail.com. Additional licenses are available at a reduced price.

The post Comparison Problems – Tape Diagrams – Strip Diagrams Problem Solving Task Cards appeared first on The Teacher Studio.