Let's Talk About Math! - Using Partners to Help Solve Word Problems

I'm actually getting a post done on a Tuesday.

It's a perfect day to link up with Holly for
 

Last week in 3rd grade we worked on multi-step word problems.

I know some you will disagree with me,

but my kids understood them and I believe it is because 

of the CCSS we implemented this year.

This my fifth year teaching 3rd grade

and it's the first time everyone in the class

was able to solve these problems.

 I mean everyone including my resource students!

This year I was able to spend more time 

working on multiplication and division stories

and this helped with the multi-step stories.

One fun activity we used was a genius idea from

Laura Candler called Math Buddy Chat.

 This activity is great because the kids did work on

their own and with a partner.

Step 1:  On your own, read the word problem.

If you want, highlight the important info 

and underline the question.

Think about how you would solve the problem.

Step 2:  Meet with your partner and discuss

how to solve the problem.

Step 3:  Go back to your seat and on your own, solve the problem.

Step 4:  Get back with your partner and compare answers.

If you got different answers, review  your strategies and work.

If you got the same answer, discuss how you solved it.

My kids loved this!

This strategy really helped my kids that weren't 

sure about how to solve these problems.

I could see they felt confident going back

and trying to figure out the answer

after they had discussed it with their partner.

What are some strategies, techniques or activities you use with word problems?