Act It Out! Solving Math Problems with Toys and Tokens

Math Grades 1st Grade 4:54 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to solve tricky word problems by acting them out with objects or using toys as tokens. This lesson helps you understand math problems better!

Video Resource

How to Act Out or Use Tokens to Solve Math Problems

Miacademy Learning Channel

Duration: 4:54
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Word problems can be solved by acting them out.
  • Tokens can represent objects in word problems.
  • Addition is putting things together.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to solve word problems by acting them out with real objects.
  • Students will be able to use tokens to represent objects in word problems.
  • Students will be able to identify clue words in word problems that indicate addition.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they ever get stuck on word problems. Explain that today, they will learn a fun way to solve these problems by acting them out! Show the Miacademy video.
  • Modeling with Objects (10 mins)
    Present the first word problem from the video: 'There are 10 coins in Linda's wallet. Her sister finds 3 coins on the sidewalk and gives them to Linda. How many coins does Linda have altogether?' Have students use actual coins (or counters) to represent the problem. Guide them to physically add the coins together to find the solution.
  • Using Tokens (10 mins)
    Present the second word problem from the video: 'Sandy owns 9 hats. Her sister owns double the amount of hats that Sandy owns. How many hats does Sandy's sister own?' Since having many hats might be difficult, have students use tokens (e.g., blocks, crayons) to represent the hats. Guide them to create two groups of 9 tokens and then count the total to find the solution.
  • Practice Problems (10 mins)
    Provide students with a few more word problems and have them practice solving them by acting them out with objects or using tokens. Encourage them to choose the method that works best for them.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts of the lesson. Ask students to share their favorite part of the lesson and how they think this strategy will help them solve word problems in the future.

Interactive Exercises

  • Word Problem Role-Play
    Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a simple addition word problem. Have them act out the problem using students as the characters and classroom objects as the items in the problem.
  • Token Creation Station
    Provide each student with construction paper and markers. Have them create their own set of tokens (e.g., drawing stars, hearts, or simple shapes). Encourage them to use these tokens to solve future word problems.

Discussion Questions

  • What are some clue words that tell us to add?
  • Why is it helpful to act out a problem?
  • Can you think of a time when using tokens would be better than using the real objects?

Skills Developed

  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Visual representation

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Linda has 5 blocks. Her friend gives her 2 more. How many blocks does Linda have now if you act it out?

Correct Answer: 7

Question 2:

If you don't have enough real hats, what can you use instead to help solve a problem?

Correct Answer: Tokens

Question 3:

What does 'altogether' usually mean in a word problem?

Correct Answer: Add

Question 4:

Tom has 4 cars. Sam has double that amount. How many cars does Sam have?

Correct Answer: 8

Question 5:

If each token stands for a cookie, and you have 6 tokens, how many cookies do you have?

Correct Answer: 6

Question 6:

What is a good way to solve a tricky word problem?

Correct Answer: Act it out

Question 7:

If you have 3 toy cars and get 4 more, how many toy cars do you have?

Correct Answer: 7

Question 8:

Which of these could you use as a token?

Correct Answer: Both B and C

Question 9:

If 'double' means two times as many, what operation is used?

Correct Answer: Adding

Question 10:

Which is a clue word that might mean 'add'?

Correct Answer: More

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

If you act out a problem, you use real ______.

Correct Answer: objects

Question 2:

When you use tokens, the tokens _________ the real objects.

Correct Answer: represent

Question 3:

If a problem asks 'how many ___________?', it might mean to add.

Correct Answer: altogether

Question 4:

If Sarah has 6 pencils, and John has the same amount. Together they have _____ pencils.

Correct Answer: 12

Question 5:

Using tokens helps you to __________ the word problem.

Correct Answer: understand

Question 6:

If a cat has 2 ears and 2 eyes, it has ____ features listed.

Correct Answer: 4

Question 7:

When you have the same number as before again, you _______ that amount.

Correct Answer: double

Question 8:

Counters or blocks can be used as __________.

Correct Answer: tokens

Question 9:

Acting out the problem shows ________ what the problem is asking.

Correct Answer: visually

Question 10:

The word 'double' means you can ____ the number with itself.

Correct Answer: add

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.6:Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 - 4 = 13 - 3 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 - 8 = 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums (e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13).

Teaching Materials

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