Numberless Word Problems

Grade 4 Mathematics
Numberless Word Problems

This routine primarily supports standard 1.OA.1., 1.OA.2, 2.OA.1, 3.OA.3, 3.OA.8, 4.OA.2, and 4.OA.3.  Word problems involve different story structures or problem situations.  Numberless Word Problems are designed to provide scaffolding that allows students the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the underlying structure of word problems.  

Originally developed by Brian Bushart, the powerpoint resources below address addition and subtraction problem types.  Each problem type, for example,  Join - Result Unknown, contains ten numberless word problems.  Teachers may choose to develop one problem type or use a combination of problem types (Separate - Change Unknown, Part-Part-Whole - Part Unknown) during one given week. numbers

Powerpoint Slide Decks for Numberless Word Problems Links to an external site.

 Some key questions include:

  • What do you notice?
  • What do you wonder?
  • How does the new information change or support your thinking?
  • What questions could be asked?

 

 *NEW* Additional Examples Appropriate for 4th Grade:

  • I know the length and width of a room in feet; if I know the total area of the room in square feet, how can I find the length and width measurements?
  • I know how many gallons of water a horse will drink; how can I find how many quarts seven horses will drink?
  • I know how much ½ of John's money is and how much ½  of Matt's money is. How can I find how much money they both have?
  • A boy bought oranges and grapes. The oranges cost twice as much as the grapes. If you know the total cost, how will you find the cost of the oranges?
  • A family uses a certain number of pints of milk a day; how will you find the number of gallons they use in a week?
  • If you know the length of a floor in feet and the width in inches, how can you find how many square yards it contains?

 

cc_by_nc_sa.png This course content is offered under a CC Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike Links to an external site. license. Content in this course can be considered under this license unless otherwise noted.