Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hoping Backward to Solve Problems

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Young scholars use number lines to compare differences. In this math lesson, students use a number line to solve problems. Young scholars predict differences and answer puzzles using subtraction.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Working Backwards

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars explore the concept that to solve some problems, they may need to undo the key actions in the problem. This strategy is called working backwards asking the appropriate questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Word Clue and All About Me Problem Solving

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders practice solving word problems using highlighted strategies. In this word problem instructional activity, 5th graders brainstorm and  use words as clues that indicate the math operations that will be used to solve...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Working Backwards

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders make up their own math problems. There is only one restriction. That is, the answer has to be the one you are going to give them in a sealed envelope. The problems that they make up can be anything they like. Let Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Problem Solving

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read and write equations. In this equation writing lesson, 5th graders use real life scenarios to write equations. Students use manipulatives, draw pictures and make tables to understand how to write equations. Students...
Lesson Plan
Arizona Department of Education

Introduction to Integers

For Teachers 5th - 7th Standards
Welcome to the backward world of negative numbers. This introductory lesson teaches young mathematicians that negative numbers are simply the opposite of positive numbers as they use number lines to plot and compare...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Popping Problems!

For Teachers 4th
Turn your math lesson into a carnival game with this fun, outdoor activity. After reviewing the concept your class will be practicing briefly, split your class up into teams and head outdoors. These teams work to solve math questions and...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Percent Increase and Decrease

For Teachers 7th Standards
Increase the percent of pupils that are fluent in solving change problems with an activity that asks class members to look at problems that involve either increases or decreases and to express the change in terms of the percent of...
Lesson Plan
Illustrative Mathematics

Shirt Sale

For Teachers 6th - 7th Standards
Everyone loves a good deal, and your mathematician's job is to calculate the original price when given the discount. A different type of problem than the traditional "find the percent change" has your learners working backwards to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Use Guess and Check to Solve Math Problems

For Teachers 5th - 6th
In this problem solving worksheet, students read about using the guess and check strategy for solving math word problems. They use the strategy to solve 8 problems. They read about the working backwards and using visuals as problem...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fraction Puzzle Problems

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders design a fraction word problem PowerPoint presentation. In small groups they complete a storyboard graphic organizer for their word problem, evaluate another group's word problem, and create a PowerPoint presentation of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life is Full of Problems

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Pupils use the problem solving strategy of guess and check to investigate math word problems. They determine which problem solving strategy or strategies would work best in problem situations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Problem Solving: Steps and Strategies

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the concept of problem solving strategies. In this problem solving strategies lesson, students discuss methods for solving problems such as re-reading a problem, stating the facts, drawing a picture and so on. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Strategies

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Here is a fabulous lesson plan on problem solving strategies for your charges. In it, learners are presented with many excellent techniques they can use when faced with a multi-step math word problem. Some terrific blackline masters are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Not So Snappy 9 Word Problems

For Teachers 5th - 6th
In this math worksheet, students practice solving word problems which require them to make a list or work backwards to find the solution. Students read and solve 5 word problems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Polya's 4 Steps to Problem Solving

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders solve problems using Polya's 4 steps to problem solving.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Telling Time to 5 Minutes

For Teachers 2nd
In this second grade lesson your class will practice telling time. The goal is to tell time to five minutes using an analog clock. Your young students count by 5 minute intervals and discuss elapsed time. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigation - What's the Number?: Division

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore number sentences using a variety of strategies making each equation a true sentence. Students examine strategies such as patterns, trial and error, working backwards, and related problems. In groups, 7th graders...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geometry: Area, Scale Factor, Circumference

For Teachers 5th - 8th
In this geometry worksheet, students solve 10 problems regarding area, scale factors, and circumference. Students, in 3 of the problems, are given the circumference and asked to work backwards to find missing information.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

THE BACKWARD DESIGN PROCESS

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners explain the practical uses of robots. They interpret possible careers in robotics, apply the safety guidelines of robots, and develop a perspective of the use of robots. They empathize with the cultural issues of robots in work...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Problem-Solving Strategies in Word Problems

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine how to determine which strategy to use to solve word problems. In this word problem strategy activity, students listen to a lecture on the process of using different strategies to solve math problems. They look at guess...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solve for Scale Factors Using Proportions

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders solve problems using proportions with scaled drawings. They work with maps and blue-prints discussing scales and plans and examine different polygons and figure out the scale factors or proportions they have been changed by.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Proving Quadrilateral Properties

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Working backwards can sometimes help you see a path to solving a problem. In this chapter, properites of quadrilaterials are proven by looking at flowcharts and working the probem backwards. Worked through examples are given, along with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Number Sentences

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders become familiar with problem solving strategies of guess and check and working backwards. They demonstrate the basic concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using a math sentence.