Four-Step
Problem Solving Process
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Four-Step Process for
Problem Solving
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Teaches the importance of language within math problems
•
Provides foundation for algebraic understanding
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Provides for differentiated instruction
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Developed in Singapore
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Visual representation of details and actions which assists children with problem solving
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Helps children logically think using visual models to determine their computations
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Fosters quantitative reasoning (number sense) when teachers question
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Empowers students to think systematically and master more difficult problems
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Makes 2 step problems easy to work
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Four-Step Process for Solving Problems
Step 1-Main Idea
•Main Idea of Question
(What do you want to
find out?)
Step 3Strategy/Solve
Solve the Problem
Step 2-Details and Model
Drawing
Who
What
Draw One Unit:
A drawing, or model, of
the Unifix cube(s)
Read one sentence at a time
and adjust the Unifix cubes
and the drawing (or model) of
the Unifix cubes
Step 4-How
•Describe how the problem was solved.
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1.
•
•
Four
Step
Process
Main Idea
Read the problem. What do you want to find out?
Write the main idea from the question.
2. Details or
•
•
•
Write who the problem is about
Write what the problem is about
Use one Unifix cube to represent each “what” or
variable.
• Then, draw the Unifix cube to represent one unit.
– Reread the problem one sentence at a time.
•
• Adjust the Unifix cubes and the drawing (model) of the
Unifix cubes to match the story problem and label.
Put a question mark on the drawing, or model, to show what
you are trying to find out.
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Four-Step Process Continued
3. Strategy/Solve the Problem
•
Write the number sentence and solve the
problem.
4. How
•
Describe how the problem was solved.
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Addition
Action: Put Together
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Ann has 2 toys. Jeff has 3 toys.
How many toys do they have together?
Step 1 Main Idea
Step 2: Details and Model Drawing
2
Toys
together?
Ann- toys or A.T.
3
Jeff- toys or J.T.
Step 3: Strategy/Solve
2
]
Step 4: How
Add 2 and 3
+3
5 sum
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?
Andy and Henry went to the zoo.
Andy saw 4
. Henry saw 5 .
How many animals did the 2 boys see?
Main Idea
animals 2
boys see?
Details
5
H. P. (Abbreviate for
Henry-Penguins)
Strategy/Solve
4
4
A. T. (Abbreviate for
Andy-Turkeys)
]
How
Put together 4 and 5
+5
9 sum
8
?
Subtraction
Action: Take Away
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Amy has 4 toys. She gave away 1 toy.
How many toys are left?
Step 2
Step 1
4
A.T. (abbreviate
for Ann- toys)
X
]
Toys left
?
Step 3
4
1
Step 4
Subtract 1 from 4.
- 1
3
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Subtraction
Action: Compare
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Steve has 4 toys. Jill has 1 toy. How many more
toys does Steve have than Jill?
Step 1
Step 2
4
]
More toys
Steve than Jill
S.T. (Abbreviate for
Steve – Toys)
J.T. (Abbreviate for
Jill-Toys)
Step 3
4
1
?
Step 4
Subtract 1 from 4.
- 1
3 diff.
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Ana has 3
cones.
Leo has 4
apples.
How many fewer cones are there than apples?
Details
3
Main Idea
A.C.(abbreviate
for Ana-cones)
4
?
]
fewer cones
than apples?
L.A.
(abbreviate for
Leo-Apples)
Strategy/Solve
4
How
Subtract 3 from 4
-3
1
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Subtraction
Action: Missing Part
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Alex has 5 balls. Three are baseballs. The rest
are footballs. How many are footballs?
Step 2/ Details
5
Step 1/ Main Idea
A.B.
B
Balls)
B
3
Step 3/Strategy
(Solve)
5
F
F
]
(abbreviate Alex-
B
]
footballs
?
Step 4/ How
Subtract 3 from 5.
- 3
2
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Tips
• Be sure all the drawings of the Unifix cubes (units) for
each variable are touching each other so comparisons
are clearer.
• In the drawing, list the variables in the order they
appear in the problem.
• Include labels and brackets to help clarify drawings.
• Too often, students rush through a problem and answer
the wrong question. Placing the question mark beside
what you are trying to find helps to prevent that.
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Extra Information in Word Problems
• Sometimes there will be extra information in a word
problem. Try to keep students focused on what the
question is asking them to find.
• If a child understands that the details are usually
what is needed to answer the main idea of the
question, he will be less likely to include information
that is not needed.
• However, if the child includes the extra information
in the drawing, placing the ? in the model will help
them understand what information is needed to
answer the question.
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