OLD Resources. The resources on this page have NOT yet been updated to align with the revised elementary mathematics TEKS. These revised TEKS were adopted by the Texas State Board of Education in 2005, with full implementation scheduled for 2006–07. These resources align with the original TEKS that were adopted in 1998 and should be used as a starting point only.

Clarifying Lessons

Grade 2: Texas Problem Solving

Lesson Overview

Students use numerical data about Texas to write and solve real-life problems involving addition and subtraction (or multiplication and division).

Mathematics Overview

Students select the correct operation and solve problems involving addition and subtraction (or multiplication and division).

Set-up (to set the stage and motivate the students to participate)

  1. Have students work in pairs to choose three numerical facts about Texas to use to make up one addition and one related subtraction story problem. These numbers could be generated through exploration with the calculator, then verified with manipulatives or reasoning. (Appropriate numbers could be used to generate multiplication and division story problems. (2.3A, B; 2.4A, B; 2.5D; 2.14))
  2. Have students write their story problems on the Texas recording sheet and record the number sentences for the solutions on the back. (2.13A, B)
  3. Have students trade their recording sheets and work one another's problems, using manipulatives if necessary. (2.3A, B; 2.4A, B; 2.5D; 2.14)

Teacher Notes (to personalize the lesson for your classroom)

Guiding Questions (to engage students in mathematical thinking during the lesson)

  • How did you decide what operation to use to describe the problem in your story? (2.3B; 2.4A, B; 2.14)
  • How did you decide what number sentence to use to describe the problem in your story? (2.12A, B; 2.14)
  • How might you use manipulatives to solve the problem in your story? (2.3B, 2.4A, B; 2.13A)
  • How might you use number facts to solve the problem in your story? (2.3A)
  • What patterns do you see in the number sentences for your addition and subtraction stories? (2.5D) Your multiplication and division stories? (2.4A, B)
  • How might these patterns be useful in solving these problems? (2.5D, 2.14)

Teacher Notes (to personalize the lesson for your classroom)

Summary Questions (to direct students' attention to the key mathematics in the lesson)

To strengthen students' understanding of the connections between the actions in their stories and the operations that appear in their number sentences, ask questions such as:

  • How did you select the number sentences to describe the problems in your stories? (2.3B; 2.4A, B; 2.12A, B; 2.14)
  • What procedures did you use to solve the problems in your stories (e.g. joining two sets of manipulatives or removing set from another)? (2.3B; 2.4A, B; 2.13A, B)
  • What relationships did you see between addition and subtraction? Between multiplication and division? (2.4A, B; 2.5D)

To help students reflect on their own problem-solving processes, ask questions such as:

  • Did writing your stories help you solve anyone else's problems? How did it help? (2.13A, B)
  • How did you use the calculator? (2.13A)
  • How did you decide what number sentence to use to solve someone else's story? (2.13B)
  • How did you decide if your solution was reasonable? (2.14)

Teacher Notes (to personalize the lesson for your classroom)

Assessment Task(s) (to identify the mathematics students have learned in the lesson)

  • Give students a number sentence and have them write an appropriate story problem to go with it.
  • Have students make a list of situations (actions or questions) that could possibly go with an addition number sentence, subtraction number sentence, etc. Students can record them in their math journals.

Teacher Notes (to personalize the lesson for your classroom)

Extension(s) (to lead students to connect the mathematics learned to other situations, both within and outside the classroom)

Students can choose their own topic to write story problems about and make a book of problems.

Teacher Notes (to personalize the lesson for your classroom)