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Teaching in the Heart of Florida

Learning How to Solve Multiplication Word Problems is More Fun with Error Analysis

Learning how to solve multiplication word problems is a lot more fun when you use error analysis.

Solving word problems can be fun? 

Learning how to solve multiplication word problems is more fun with error analysis activities. When kids have fun in math, they learn much easier.

Many 3rd grade students look forward to learning multiplication – it makes them feel like big kids and they love that! It’s a challenging new skill, and most will master it by the end of 3rd or 4th grade.

It becomes a bit more like a chore though when you introduce word problems, which are notoriously hard.

But, you can make them fun and less like a chore if you introduce error analysis into your word problems.

Especially if you frame it as a game that students will need to play detective in order to solve the problems.

As most teachers know, kids love to play games and learning can be the by-product of it. It’s a win for both sides!

Teaching Students How to Solve Word Problems

Students will feel more confident and not dread word problems –  if you teach them a framework for how to solve them.
I like to use the acronym RUPSE which stands for READ – UNDERLINE – PLAN – SOLVE – EXPLAIN.
Every time I model a word problem, I use this and I expect students to do it too – until it is engrained in their minds. The easiest way to do this is to use a 4 square. 
Using RUPSE to solve word problems

READ – read the word problem twice
UNDERLINE – underline the important information (numbers, keywords, what it is asking)
PLAN – decide what math model you will use, what operation is needed
SOLVE – draw a math model and write an equation
EXPLAIN – explain in writing how you solved the problem

Error Analysis

Once your students have learned how to do this – you can introduce error analysis. I have found that error analysis really helps students begin to conceptually understand multiplication beyond the procedural level. 
This Multiplication Word Problems Error Analysis resource uses the idea of RUPSE to guide students through the error analysis process: 
Learning how to solve multiplication word problems is more fun with error analysis activities. When kids have fun in math, they learn much easier.

The word problems in this set don’t ask a question for students to answer. It gives them a statement involving multiplication that they have to solve to determine whether it’s true or false. 
If you frame it as a game and they have to be detectives in order to solve – they will jump right in and love it!
Teachers who have used these error analysis task cards have observed:
“These error analysis cards have been super helpful for my students. They are better at explaining their thinking and understanding reasoning.” – Christine H.

“I love this way of learning. It involves higher-level thinking.” – Linda P.
Learning how to solve multiplication word problems can be more fun using error analysis – especially if we teach our students steps that help them and give them activities that are challenging!
Learn more about error analysis here – What I Wish Teachers Knew About Error Analysis.
How do you make solving multiplication word problems fun and challenging for your students?
Click here to see this resource up close!
Learning how to solve multiplication word problems is more fun with error analysis activities. When kids have fun in math, they learn much easier.

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