Lesson 20
What’s the Story?
Lesson Purpose
Lesson Narrative
Students write story problems using given mathematical information: either an equation, or a number in an equation. In previous lessons, students solved a variety of story problems, matched equations with unknowns to story problems, and wrote equations to match story problems. In Activity 1, students build on their understanding of equations with unknowns by writing story problems that match an equation. In Activity 2, students write story problems that match a given answer. This lesson is the first time students write story problems to match equations or the answer to an equation.
- Engagement
- MLR7
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Write a story problem to match an equation.
Student Facing
- Let’s write story problems to match equations.
Required Materials
Materials to Gather
Required Preparation
Activity 3:
- Gather materials from previous centers:
- Capture Squares, Stages 1 and 2
- Shake and Spill, Stages 3 and 4
- What's Behind My Back, Stage 2
Lesson Timeline
| Warm-up | 10 min |
| Activity 1 | 15 min |
| Activity 2 | 10 min |
| Activity 3 | 15 min |
| Lesson Synthesis | 10 min |
| Cool-down | 0 min |
Teacher Reflection Questions
Think about which students haven’t shared their thinking in class lately. Were there missed opportunities to highlight their thinking during recent lessons? How can you take advantage of those opportunities when they arise?