Story Problem Super Solvers: Acting It Out & Drawing!

Math Grades 1st Grade 5:07 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to solve story problems by acting them out with objects or drawing pictures! We'll work on 'some and some more' and 'some and some went away' problems.

Video Resource

Grade 1: Math Lesson #15 Acting Out And Drawing Pictures For Story Problems

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 5:07
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Addition as 'some and some more'
  • Subtraction as 'some and some went away'
  • Using objects to represent numbers in a story problem
  • Using drawings to represent numbers in a story problem

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to solve simple addition and subtraction word problems.
  • Students will be able to represent word problems using objects or drawings.
  • Students will understand the concepts of 'some and some more' and 'some and some went away'.
  • Students will be able to use drawings and acting out to solve problems when they are unsure how to do them.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Start by asking students if they've ever solved a problem by acting it out or drawing a picture. Explain that today they'll learn how to do this with math problems!
  • Watching the Video (10 mins)
    Play the video 'Grade 1: Math Lesson #15 Acting Out And Drawing Pictures For Story Problems'. Encourage students to follow along and act out or draw the problems as they watch.
  • Acting Out Practice (10 mins)
    Present simple 'some and some more' problems (e.g., 'I have 3 blocks, and you give me 2 more. How many blocks do I have?') and 'some and some went away' problems (e.g., 'I had 5 crayons, and I lost 1. How many crayons do I have now?'). Have students act out the problems using objects like blocks, crayons, or even their fingers.
  • Drawing Practice (10 mins)
    Repeat the problems from the previous activity, but this time have students draw pictures to represent the problem. Remind them their drawings don't need to be perfect, just clear enough to count.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Give each student a worksheet with a few word problems. Have them choose whether to act out or draw the problem to find the answer.

Interactive Exercises

  • Story Problem Charades
    Write simple word problems on slips of paper. Students take turns acting out the problems without speaking, and the other students have to guess the problem and the answer.
  • Drawing a Problem
    Give students a number sentence (e.g., 4 + 2 = 6). Have them create their own word problem that matches the number sentence and draw a picture to solve it.

Discussion Questions

  • Why can it be helpful to draw a picture or act out a story problem?
  • Can you think of a time when acting or drawing helped you solve a problem?
  • What's the difference between a 'some and some more' problem and a 'some and some went away' problem?

Skills Developed

  • Problem-solving
  • Visual representation
  • Critical thinking
  • Mathematical communication

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

There are 2 cats. 1 more cat comes. How many cats are there?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 2:

You have 5 balloons. 2 balloons pop. How many balloons are left?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 3:

What can you use to help you solve a story problem?

Correct Answer: All of the above

Question 4:

Which problem is 'some and some more'?

Correct Answer: Friends arrive

Question 5:

Which problem is 'some and some went away'?

Correct Answer: Leaves fall off a tree

Question 6:

I have 3 apples and I give 1 to my friend. How many apples do I have?

Correct Answer: 2

Question 7:

I have 4 crayons and I find 2 more. How many crayons do I have now?

Correct Answer: 6

Question 8:

If you have 5 toys and 2 break, what kind of problem is it?

Correct Answer: Some and Some Went Away

Question 9:

If you have 2 cookies and you get 3 more, what kind of problem is it?

Correct Answer: Some and Some More

Question 10:

Why is it okay if your drawing isn't perfect?

Correct Answer: The most important thing is to be able to count the pictures

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

If more things are added, it's called 'some and some ____'.

Correct Answer: more

Question 2:

If things go away, it's called 'some and some went ____'.

Correct Answer: away

Question 3:

Drawings don't need to be _________, just clear enough to count.

Correct Answer: perfect

Question 4:

You can ________ a story problem to help you solve it.

Correct Answer: draw

Question 5:

You can ______ a story problem out to help you solve it.

Correct Answer: act

Question 6:

Five birds were in a tree, and three flew away. There are ____ birds left.

Correct Answer: two

Question 7:

Two cats are playing, and one more joins them. Now there are ____ cats.

Correct Answer: three

Question 8:

When you add more, the number gets ______.

Correct Answer: bigger

Question 9:

When things go away, the number gets ________.

Correct Answer: smaller

Question 10:

In a drawing, each picture stands for a ________.

Correct Answer: number

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.2:Solve word problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose sum is less than or equal to 20, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.C.5:Relate counting to addition and subtraction (e.g., by counting on 2 to add 2).

Teaching Materials

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