PowerPoint Presentation

WHY THIS PRODUCT?

Far too many of us have encountered students who seem to plod mindlessly through word problems plucking out numbers and performing a random operation of some sort without giving much thought to the meaning behind the text. This product is intended for these students!

Each slide is strategically designed step by step to help students develop a stronger sense of number while at the same time learn to create meaning, visualize, and bring life to the words on the page!

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Animated word problems is an interactive experience for students. The teacher guides kids through solving word problems involving arrays one click at a time and has the power to determine the pace most appropriate for the class. Text is revealed one line at a time and the group is given the opportunity to visualize the words before a possible image representing the text is shared.

RESEARCH

Research shows movement via animation can have a significantly positive impact on students’ ability to solve word problems. The physical movement of objects is especially engaging to children’s brains. After much practice (this resource provides 90 opportunities!), studies indicate that students move naturally from seeing the physical movement to imagining the movement on their own, and stronger word problem solving skills overall are developed as a result- even once the animation support is removed.

3 STAGES

Animated Word Problems are available in 3 STAGES intentionally designed with a gradual release of support to facilitate conceptualization and mastery:

· Stage 1 – All images are revealed one by one. This is particularly powerful in helping students develop a stronger sense of number.

· Stage 2 – All images are revealed in groups. Eg. For a problem that involves 3 boxes with 7 books each, the 3 boxes will be revealed simultaneously and the books will be revealed at the same time in groups of 7.

· Stage 3 – All word problems are shown through symbolic representation. The number of groups is shown with circles, and the group size is indicated with numbers. Eg. For a problem that involves 3 boxes with 7 books each, the 3 boxes will be shown as circles. The number 7 will appear in each circle (“box”) to represent the group size.

EXAMPLE

Stage 1 –Animated Word Problems –Arrays, Unknown Product:

•Upon 1st click, the screen reads, “On display in a toy store, there are 2 teddy bears in each row.” Pause for kids to create/talk through their own mental image of the text.

•Click 3 times to reveal a shelf and 2 teddy bears (bears are revealed one by one). Be sure to emphasize that the pictures on the screen are only one possible image and that whatever image students created for themselves in the step above works just as well!

•Click again and the screen reads, “There are 4 rows.” Pause for kids to create/talk through their own mental image of the text.

•Click 6 times and 2 more bears appear on each shelf (bears are revealed one by one).

•Click again and the question appears, “How many teddy bears are there altogether?” Pause for students to draw/talk through their own conclusions.

•Click again and the related multiplication equation appears, “4 x 2 = ?” Ask kids to tell what each number represents (4 = number of rows or groups/shelves, 2 = group size/number of bears in each row, ? = product/total number of bears).

•Upon the next and final click, the product appears: “4 x 2 = 8”

•As kids gain comfort with the process, ask them to predict what animation will happen next before actually clicking. This will facilitate independence and ultimately lead to mastery. 

BACKGROUND INFO

The Common Core Standards for Math identify three main types of word problems that exist within the operations of multiplication and division: Equal Groups, Arrays/Area, and Compare. This product will focus on ARRAYS.

Identifying the 3 parts of a multiplication problem is an essential understanding for students to truly attain mastery of the standards related to word problems. This resource gives students ample opportunity to practice identifying these parts in real world word problem contexts.

INCLUDED

30 animated word problems (10 for each category below) are included at each Stage to address:

• ARRAYS – Unknown Product (number of groups and group size are given)

• ARRAYS – Unknown Group Size (number of groups and product are given)

• ARRAYS – Unknown Number of Groups (group size and product are given)

There are a total of 90 ANIMATED WORD PROBLEMS in all 3 stages.

COMMON CORE STANDARDS

CCSS.MATH.3.OA.A.1 – Interpret products of whole numbers, eg. interpret 5 x 7 as the total number of objects in 5 groups of 7 objects each.

CCSS.MATH.3.OA.A.3 – Use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word problems in situations involving equal groups, arrays, and measurement quantities.

CCSS.MATH.3.OA.A.4 – Determine the unknown whole number in a multiplication or division equation relating three whole numbers.

SPECIAL NOTE

You must have PowerPoint 2013 or newer to view and use with students. You must also be in slide show mode to view the animations. In the edit mode, the screen will look very cluttered and difficult to see clearly. This is normal and is due to all of the animations.

Many of the animations are designed to show actions such as flying, bouncing, turning, etc. In the event you are hurried and don’t have time for these extras, feel free to click away at your own pace. The animations will move as fast as you’re able to click!

SINCERE THANKS

Thank you for your interest in this product. 10% minimally of all proceeds from the sale of this product are given back to the cause that unites us all as teachers: helping youth prosper. Donations are made to well-researched and fiscally sound charities. Thank you for your support!

As teachers, our collective efforts impact the world on a grand scale as no other profession does. I extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for all that you do day in and day out that makes our profession shine!