unraavel a math problem fourth fifth

UNRAAVEL a Math
Problem
Sure-Fire Steps to Becoming a Math Genius!

Fourth and Fifth Grade
Problem.

UNRAAVEL Strategy
presented by Larry I.
Bell.
Taken from Area 6
ALTs


Sometimes it can be difficult
to figure out what to do when
you are faced with a word problem.
Even Albert Einstein said:
“Do not worry about your
difficulties in Mathematics. I
can assure you mine are still
greater.”


If he had known about UNRAAVEL…..
…..he may have
been able to do
even more with
Math!
Are you ready to
learn how to

UNRAAVEL a math
problem?


U = Underline the
question
Find the question and
Underline it!
We are going to practice
UNRAAVEL with this one!

The soccer team scored six times
as many goals during the regular
season as they did during playoffs.
The team scored forty-two goals
during the regular season. How
many goals were scored during the
playoffs?

Allison is buying five sets of markers
for each of her twelve art students.
If each set of markers costs $5.75,
how much will she spend on
markers?
Sid has $50.00. He bought two
video games that cost $14.00
each. He also bought a poster
for $5.69. How much money did
he have left after his purchases?
The students are asked to put their

booth fifteen feet from the entry
way on the path to the parking lot.
The parking lot is sixty-two feet
from the entry way. How far is their
booth from the parking lot?


N = Now Predict
What Do You Think
You Need to Do
to Solve the Problem?
Do you think the answer
will be larger or smaller?
Do you think you will
need to add, subtract,
multiply, or divide? Are
there any hints that you
may need to estimate?


I predict that I will
need to
subtract. I saw the
words: HAVE LEFT
in the question.


R = Read the Word Problem

Read the

entire
problem!!!!


Read it, Dudes and
Dudettes!
Sid has $50.00. He bought
two video games that cost
$14.00 each. He also bought
a poster for $5.69. How
much money did he have left
after his purchases?


A = Are the Important Words
Circled? (especially the clue words?)

Sid has $50.00. He bought two
video games that cost $14.00
each. He also bought a poster for
$5.69. How much money did he
have left after his purchases?


A = Apply the Steps You
Chose to Solve the Problem
$14.00
X
2
$28.00

$28.00
+ 5.69

Video Games

Video Games Plus Poster

$33.69
Tota
l Am
ou

nt S
p en

t


Sid has $50.00. He bought two
video games that cost $14.00
each. He also bought a poster for
$5.69. How much money did he
have left after his purchases?


’s
d
i
S

$ 50.00

- 33.69
he
t
a
Wh

nt
e
sp

$16.31
Le
fto
ver
!

ne
o
M

y


V = Verify
(Is it reasonable?

Your Answer.

Does it Make Sense?)

$16.31 IS reasonable
because it is smaller than
$50.00. It would make
sense to have this amount
left after buying games and
a poster.


E = Eliminate

Wrong

Answers.

a. $66.31
b. $15.00
c. $55.76
d. $16.31

Too big.

Can’t End in two Zeroes.

Too big.


L = Let the Answer Stay or

Rework the Problem
I got that one
correct, but I
may have to
rework the
next one!


How do you UNRAAVEL?
U nderline the question
N ow predict what you think you need to do to
solve the problem
R ead the word problem
A re the important words circled?
(especially clue words)
A pply the step(s) you chose to solve the problem
V erify your answer (is it reasonable; does it
make sense?)
E liminate wrong answers
L et the answer stay or rework the problem
Double check your work!


UNRAAVEL Strategy Adapted from the Work and
Property of Larry Bell. ( )
PowerPoint Background and Animations from
Animation Factory (
)
Math Word Problems from Silver-Burdett Ginn Fifth
Grade Math Book.

Elements
www.animationfactory.com