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Monuments Can Become Problems:
Word Problem Solving

Grade Level: Grades 2-5

Subjects: Math, Language Arts (Writing)

Learner Outcomes:
The student will be able to:

Identify the correct operation needed to solve a given word problem
Identify the key words that indicate the operation required to solve a problem
Collect and discuss factual information about Washington landmarks to use in problems
Identify and use reference sources for different types of information
Write math word problems containing the specified key words
Use a word processing program to enter word problems into a file and to save their file

Duration of Lesson: 2-3 hours
     Math worksheet on word problems (1 hour)
     Collect factual information about Washington landmarks (1 hour)
     Write and edit math word problems about Washington landmarks (1 hour)

Materials:
     Teacher-created worksheet with math word problems with key words to identify
     Worksheet to collect information about Washington landmarks
     Scoring rubric for writing project

Technology Tools/Courseware:
Internet access to collect factual information about monuments
Word processing software

Teacher Notes:

Math problems and operations being used can focus on operations class has currently covered
Factual information about the monuments can be collected by accessing web sites, by using non-fiction books, encyclopedias, Encarta or Grolier’s CD encyclopedias, travel brochures

Procedures:
1. Using a teacher-created worksheet with a variety of types of word problems, have students read each
     problem and underline the key word that designates what operation is used to solve the problem.
2. Create a chart on the blackboard (or on tagboard to display) listing the key words and the corresponding
     operation.
3. Have the students go back and carry out the calculations for each of the problems on the worksheet.
4. Have the students work in pairs to collect factual information about some of the Washington monuments
     to use in creating math word problems. Provide students with a list of web sites or other reference
     materials. Provide a worksheet to use in recording numerical information about the landmarks.
5. Have the students write math word problems using the factual information that they have collected.
     Make sure that they use one of the key words listed on the created chart.
6. Have the students be responsible for typing their own problems into a word processing file that can be
    used   to create additional math worksheets for the class.
    Use the student-created word problems to develop a worksheet for the class or another class to solve

Modifications:
1. Provide different difficulty levels of the worksheet to match the math abilities of the students
2. Pair slower students or students with special students with a “study buddy” while working on the Internet
to collect factual information
3. Allow for the use of calculators for students as needed since the focus is learning to identify the key
words for problem solving.
4. Can assign more or less word problems to create based on the writing abilities of the students.

Enrichment Activities:
1.     Provide more difficult problems, more advanced operations, for more capable math students.
2.     Have the students create illustrations for their problems.
4.     Have the students create a bar graph or table about the monuments and then base their word problems on
            the information on the graph or table.
5.     Enter the collected information into a spreadsheet and then turn this information into a graph
6.     More capable students can use the Monumental Problems Scavenger Hunt to develop study skills
            in locating information and using the Internet.

Evaluation/Assessment:
1 When given a worksheet with math word problems can the student identify the correct operation needed
     to solve a given word problem?
2. When given a worksheet with math word problems, can the student identify the key words that indicate
     the operation required to solve a problem
3. Was the student able to access the Internet web site appropriately to collect factual information about
    Washington monuments to use in problem
4. Was the student able to create the specified number of math word problems using the information from
     the web site about the Washington monuments and using one of the specified key words in each problem?

Use an appropriate teacher-created scoring rubric to evaluate their written project

Criteria for Activity	Points Available	Students Score
Correct facts	.20	.
Key word used	.20	.
Enough information to solve problem	.20	.
Correct spelling and grammar	.20	.
Correct answer key	.20	.

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:
     Math - Operations and Computations 2.20, 3.19,    3.21, 4.18 , 5.11, 5.16
     Language Arts - Language   2.106,
                              Study Skills 3.74
                             Computer Technology 2.121, 3.85, 4.95, 5.180

National Standards

References:
List of web sites to use in locating facts about the monuments and memorials
Lincoln Memorial Statistics

Jefferson Statue in Jefferson Memorial Statistics

Capitol Building Statistics (under Overview and Functions)

Facts about the FDR Memorial

Iwo Jima Memorial Statistics