How do I know which math

operation to do to solve a
math problem?
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Miss Hartgrove
Hanes Middle School
 Lesson Outline
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Today we are going to:

• Review the Four Step Plan to Solve Math

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Problems
• Identify the four math operations

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• Identify clue words that tell us which math
operation we need to use.
 Review
0011 0010 1010 1101 0001 0100 1011
Yesterday we talked about the four step plan
to solving math problems. To help us
review the steps to solve math problems,

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you are going to do a matching game in
your small groups.

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Look at your work system and get out your
blue folder. You should work in your small
groups to put the steps in order.
 What is a math operation?
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• Addition
• Subtraction
• Multiplication
• Division 1
2
4
 When you are asked to identify a
0011 0010 1010 1101 0001 0100 1011
math operation, you are being
asked if you should add, subtract,

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multiply, or divide!

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 Why do we need to learn math
clue words?
0011 0010 1010 1101 0001 0100 1011

Word problems do not specifically tell us to

add, subtract, multiply, or divide.

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We need to know the clue words so we can

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determine if we should add, subtract,
multiply, or divide.
 I should add when I see…
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• Sum
• Total
•
•
Increased by
Together 1
2
•
•
•
Altogether
Both
In all
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 I should subtract when I see…
0011 0010 1010 1101 0001 0100 1011

• Decreased by
• Minus
•
•
Difference
How many more 1
2
•
•
How much more
Take away

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 I should multiply when I see…
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• Of
• Times
• Product of
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 I should divide when I see…
0011 0010 1010 1101 0001 0100 1011

• Per
• Quotient of

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 Let’s practice
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Using the multiple choice cards, you should

work with your group to identify the math

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operation that matches the clue word.

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 How many more
0011 0010 1010 1101 0001 0100 1011

A. Addition
B. Subtraction
C. Multiplication
D. Division 1
2
4
 Per
0011 0010 1010 1101 0001 0100 1011

A. Addition
B. Subtraction
C. Multiplication
D. Division 1
2
4
 Product of
0011 0010 1010 1101 0001 0100 1011

A. Addition
B. Subtraction
C. Multiplication
D. Division 1
2
4
 altogether
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A. Addition
B. Subtraction
C. Multiplication
D. Division 1
2
4
 Let’s Practice
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To see how many of the clue words you

remember, you are going to complete a fill-in-

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the-blank activity. The fill-in-the-blank
activity is in your yellow folder.

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The completed activity will be used as a
resource for you as we solve math problems
throughout the year.
 Match Time!
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You are going to work with your small group

to complete a matching activity. In the

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envelope you will find two sets of cards.
Some of the cards will have math operations

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written on them. Other cards will have
sentences from word problems that contain
some of the clue words. You are going to
match the clue words to the math operation.