Word Problem Lesson Plan: Riddle Books Game

This lesson plan, adaptable for grades 3-8, features Riddle Books, a math game that challenges students to solve algebra word problems by constructing visual models, and deriving equations from those models.

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments

Grade: 03

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3

Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.

Grade: 03

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.4

Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.

Grade: 04

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3

Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

Grade: 04

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.4

Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.

Grade: 05

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3

Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.

Grade: 05

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.4

Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.

Grade: 06

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.4

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.

Grade: 07

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.4

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.

Grade: 08

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.4

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

Grade: 03

CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.A.1

Interpret products of whole numbers, e.g., interpret 5 × 7 as the total number of objects in 5 groups of 7 objects each. For example, describe a context in which a total number of objects can be expressed as 5 × 7.

Grade: 03

CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.A.2

Interpret whole-number quotients of whole numbers, e.g., interpret 56 ÷ 8 as the number of objects in each share when 56 objects are partitioned equally into 8 shares, or as a number of shares when 56 objects are partitioned into equal shares of 8 objects each. For example, describe a context in which a number of shares or a number of groups can be expressed as 56 ÷ 8.

Grade: 03

CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.A.3

Use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word problems in situations involving equal groups, arrays, and measurement quantities, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.1

Grade: 03

CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.A.4

Determine the unknown whole number in a multiplication or division equation relating three whole numbers. For example, determine the unknown number that makes the equation true in each of the equations 8 × ? = 48, 5 = _ ÷ 3, 6 × 6 = ?

Grade: 03

CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.B.6

Understand division as an unknown-factor problem. For example, find 32 ÷ 8 by finding the number that makes 32 when multiplied by 8.

Grade: 03

CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.D.8

Solve two-step word problems using the four operations. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.3

Grade: 04

CCSS.Math.Content.4.OA.A.1

Interpret a multiplication equation as a comparison, e.g., interpret 35 = 5 × 7 as a statement that 35 is 5 times as many as 7 and 7 times as many as 5. Represent verbal statements of multiplicative comparisons as multiplication equations.

Grade: 04

CCSS.Math.Content.4.OA.A.2

Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem, distinguishing multiplicative comparison from additive comparison.1

Grade: 04

CCSS.Math.Content.4.OA.A.3

Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.

Grade: 05

CCSS.Math.Content.5.OA.A.1

Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols.

Grade: 05

CCSS.Math.Content.5.OA.A.2

Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them. For example, express the calculation “add 8 and 7, then multiply by 2” as 2 × (8 + 7). Recognize that 3 × (18932 + 921) is three times as large as 18932 + 921, without having to calculate the indicated sum or product.

Grade: 06

CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP.A.1

Understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities. For example, “The ratio of wings to beaks in the bird house at the zoo was 2:1, because for every 2 wings there was 1 beak.” “For every vote candidate A received, candidate C received nearly three votes.”

Grade: 06

CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP.A.2

Understand the concept of a unit rate a/b associated with a ratio a:b with b ≠ 0, and use rate language in the context of a ratio relationship. For example, “This recipe has a ratio of 3 cups of flour to 4 cups of sugar, so there is 3/4 cup of flour for each cup of sugar.” “We paid $75 for 15 hamburgers, which is a rate of $5 per hamburger.”1

Grade: 06

CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP.A.3

Use ratio and rate reasoning to solve real-world and mathematical problems, e.g., by reasoning about tables of equivalent ratios, tape diagrams, double number line diagrams, or equations.

Grade: 07

CCSS.Math.Content.7.EE.B.4a

Solve word problems leading to equations of the form px + q = r and p(x + q) = r, where p, q, and r are specific rational numbers. Solve equations of these forms fluently. Compare an algebraic solution to an arithmetic solution, identifying the sequence of the operations used in each approach. For example, the perimeter of a rectangle is 54 cm. Its length is 6 cm. What is its width?

Students will:

Read and extract relevant information to solve a word problem.
Construct visual models as a strategy for solving algebra word problems, ranging from addition and subtraction to fractions and multiple variables.
Derive algebraic equations from models they build.

Materials:

Computers or other devices with Internet access
Interactive whiteboard or other display
Class sets of the Brainstorm Activity (if limited computer access)

Preparation:

This lesson features a word problem game called Riddle Books, developed by Center for Game Science. The game challenges players to apply their knowledge of fractions by slicing and slashing blocks into fractional parts.

Review the Riddle Books video tutorial to see how to play the game. Then, preview and play Riddle Books to plan how you will adapt it to your students’ needs. If students will be playing in small groups, review tips on Setting Cooperative Gaming Expectations.

Depending on your classroom routines and available technology, you may want to consider these grouping options:

1:1 with students and devices
Two to three students sharing one device and swapping ideas and the device back and forth
Station model where small groups rotate through using the devices

For ideas on how to use SnapThought with this game, read Riddle Books: SnapThought Prompts for My BrainPOP for more information and specific SnapThought prompts to provide students during game play.

Build background knowledge or reinforce topics with these BrainPOP movies: Word Problems, Multiplication, Division and Context Clues.

Lesson Procedure:

Prompt pairs to brainstorm ways they use addition, subtraction, multiplication and/or division in their everyday lives. To get students thinking, display and read aloud this Real Life Related Reading, which lists a number of different ways we use math in our daily lives.
Now bring the class together to watch the BrainPOP movie Word Problems on the whiteboard. After the movie, encourage students to discuss what they learned from the movie. Ask students which strategies they might use to solve a word problem. At their own computers or devices have pairs complete the “Brainstorm” section of the Word Problem activity page. Or distribute copies if doing the activity offline. Then have each pairs share their responses with another pair.
Next, have students review their brainstorm of everyday uses of math from the beginning of the lesson. Have each students choose an example and write a word problem related to that situation. For example, if they choose figuring out how much time before the bus comes, then they should write a word problem with specific times. Have them write the answer to their word problem on a small piece of paper, then fold it up.
After writing their word problems and answers, have students swap word problems with a classmate. Allow time for students to solve each other’s word problems. Circulate while students are working and help those who are struggling.
Upon solving the word problem, have students compare their answer to the one on the small piece of paper to confirm. If their answer is not correct, encourage them to figure out what went wrong. Have them consider what strategies they used to solve the problem.
Project the game Riddle Books on the whiteboard and explain that this word problem game challenges players to figure out which pieces of information will help them turn a word problem into a mathematical equation. Demonstrate the tutorial level of the game to model how to play.
Now have students play individually or in pairs for 20-30 minutes. Encourage them to use paper and pencil to work through the problems.
Circulate as students play, answering questions as needed. If students have individual logins through My BrainPOP, encourage them to use the SnapThought tool to take snapshots during game play, and reflect on their strategies. Review Riddle Books: SnapThought Prompts for My BrainPOP for suggested prompts.
After students play, bring the class together to discuss their experience, including what was easy and what was challenging. Encourage them to share their SnapThought responses

Extension Activities:

Challenge students to solve the word problems in this Do It! Related Reading.

You may also encourage students to write their own word problems and challenge each other to solve them.

Filed as: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.4, CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.A.1