Lesson 12
Story Problems and Diagrams
Lesson Purpose
Lesson Narrative
In previous lessons, students solved different story problems within 50 and compared different diagrams and methods. Students interpreted and used tape diagrams to represent Compare story problems.
The problems in this lesson include some of the more challenging types (for example, Add To, Start Unknown). Students are introduced to tape diagrams as a way to represent the known and unknown quantities in Add To and Put Together / Take Apart problem types. Students are encouraged to find the unknown values in the way that makes the most sense to them. Students have opportunities to practice composing and decomposing a ten when using strategies based on adding or subtracting by place.
- Engagement
Activity 1: Interpret the Diagram
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Make sense of diagrams that represent story problems.
- Solve one-step story problems within 100.
Student Facing
- Let’s make sense of diagrams and solve story problems.
Required Materials
Required Preparation
Activity 2:
- Create a set of cards from the blackline master for each group of 2.
- The sets of cards will be used again in the next lesson.
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
Suggested Centers
- Target Numbers (1–5), Stage 5: Subtract Two-digit Numbers (Addressing)
- Capture Squares (1–3), Stage 4: Subtract within 20 (Addressing)
- Shake and Spill (K–2), Stage 5: Cover (up to 20) (Supporting)
Print Formatted Materials
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Student Task Statements | docx | |
Lesson Cover Page | docx | |
Cool Down | Log In | |
Teacher Guide | Log In | |
Teacher Presentation Materials | docx | |
Blackline Masters | zip |