Lesson 9
Create Word Problems
Lesson Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is for students to create their own mathematical questions and word problems given constraints (specific values, possible operations).
Lesson Narrative
In this lesson, students reason about solutions in order to create multi-step problems. Each problem structure is open, allowing students to reason flexibly about numbers and the questions being asked. The intent is for them to exercise the skill of discerning the question when solving problems. As students work, allow them the space to make sense of problems, without providing strategies or steps. After each activity, students reflect on the skills and practices they used to create their questions.
If students need additional support with the concepts in this lesson, refer back to Unit 6, Section D in the curriculum materials.
- Representation
- MLR8
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Write and solve multi-step word problems using the four operations.
Student Facing
- Let’s write our own word problems.
Required Preparation
Lesson Timeline
| Warm-up | 10 min |
| Activity 1 | 15 min |
| Activity 2 | 20 min |
| Lesson Synthesis | 10 min |
| Cool-down | 5 min |
Teacher Reflection Questions
As students worked together today, where did you see evidence of the mathematical community established over the course of the school year?