Teaching Math Through Teaching Math Through Creative Word ProblemsCreative Word Problems

A. DittaA. DittaInstructorInstructor

Using Familiar TermsUsing Familiar TermsCreating A Familiar Fun Creating A Familiar Fun EnvironmentEnvironment Use student names whenever possible.Use student names whenever possible. Use the names of singers, actors, and Use the names of singers, actors, and

sports characters that the students are sports characters that the students are familiar with.familiar with.

Refer to streets, buildings, busses, trains Refer to streets, buildings, busses, trains and stores they are familiar with.and stores they are familiar with.

ExamplesExamples

Calvin bought eight dozen donuts. The cost Calvin bought eight dozen donuts. The cost was $64.00. What was the cost of two dozen?was $64.00. What was the cost of two dozen?

Lil Wayne wants to carpet his circular dining Lil Wayne wants to carpet his circular dining room. What is the area if the radius is 22?room. What is the area if the radius is 22?

The M Train stops seven times every twenty The M Train stops seven times every twenty minutes. How many times will it stop in one minutes. How many times will it stop in one hour and forty minutes hour and forty minutes

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

George Lopez bought a rat for $945.00. George Lopez bought a rat for $945.00. He had a coupon for 40%. What did he He had a coupon for 40%. What did he actually pay for the rat after he used his actually pay for the rat after he used his coupon?__________________. By the coupon?__________________. By the way, he thought it would be a good pet!way, he thought it would be a good pet!

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

What is the circumference of the circle at What is the circumference of the circle at Lewis Avenue and Hart Street that has a Lewis Avenue and Hart Street that has a diameter of 24?diameter of 24?

LT bought a dog for $850.00. The tax was LT bought a dog for $850.00. The tax was 5%. What did LT pay in total with the 5%. What did LT pay in total with the taxes for the dog?____________taxes for the dog?____________

WHAT DO STUDENTS SAY

When we see our name we find it funny.

I feel special.

It makes you pay attention.

It makes you want to do the work.

I have to get the problem with my name on it correct.

You can picture the actor, singer or sports person actually doing what the equation says.

WHAT DO STUDENTS THINKWHAT DO STUDENTS THINK

It makes math seem more realistic.It makes math seem more realistic. I can relate to it. I can relate to it. It makes you think you can use math now It makes you think you can use math now

and in the future.and in the future. It makes you think that you are reading It makes you think that you are reading

something on Face-Book.something on Face-Book.

SUMMARY

• Using student names helps students to feel comfortable about math.

• Using actors, singers, local spots and sports personalities helps students to relate math to the real world as they see it.

• Using Power Point to create the word problems is unique and students see it as a fun alternative because there is more creativity in each slide.