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Solving a Word Problem A Complete Solution to a Word Problem includes:  a written estimate, all the work that you do, an equation (even if you solved it using column form), a diagram, number line, chart or other representation, and the answer to the question in a complete sentence.

 
What if I get stuck?  If you get stuck you can:  look at past lessons, look at the charts that are posted in the classroom, try the problem using counters or other materials, sketch a diagram or other representation, change the numbers to make the problem simpler, write what you do know, write down questions to ask later, or check other resources.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Investigations being used to teach my child mathematics?  This curriculum gives children different ways to express their thinking. After being given situations for problem-solving, students develop strategies for expressing mathematics, allowing ownership of understanding. Through working with peers, students justify and analyze solutions. As a result, they are able to understand important relationships between concepts.
How are Math Investigations different from traditional math approaches?  Through Investigations, children develop personal meaning of concepts and learn to reason mathematically. They are not taught to rely on set procedures, formulas and rules that may have no meaning to them. The same concepts are covered as those in traditional textbooks, only the approach is different. Research shows that students who construct math for themselves are going to gain fluency and remember what they have learned. They will also keep trying to make sense of problems.
How will Math Investigations affect my child?  Your child will learn to be a self-directed learner with the ability to approach unfamiliar problems and develop ways to solve them. Your child will also develop communication skills about mathematics, learning to use, represent and explain concepts. Instead of the teacher being the sole authority for answers, each child will learn to rely on logic and mathematical evidence as verification of understanding, becoming a confident learner of mathematics!
How can I help my child at home and what should my child use to study from?  Students should review daily activities to reflect on their understanding by discussing classroom experiences with you. Your child may reflect on conversations from the Math Workshop, or possibly show you some of the strategies that the class has used to solve particular problems. Homework will also be assigned regularly to reinforce learning in the classroom. When student sheets are assigned as homework, parent notes and tips will be provided on the back to help you in working with your child.
Why are there no student textbooks?  Textbooks do not come with this curriculum. Instead of learning math through a book, children are actively engaged in mathematics through conversations with peers and working with manipulative materials. Student sheets are used regularly, containing problems to solve and games to play to deepen understanding of concepts learned in the units.
How is the class period run during the math workshop?  The math workshop contains three parts: opening meeting, work period, closing meeting  
During the opening meeting, your child’s teacher explains the goals for the math workshop and teaches a mini-lesson, introducing a new concept or skill. The teacher then poses a problem or series of problems for each child to solve based on the conversation during the mini-lesson.
During the work period, your child works individually, with a peer or with a group, to solve the problem(s) presented in the mini-lesson, developing ideas and strategies. The teacher facilitates learning by circulating around the room, working/conferencing with students individually or in small groups.
During the closing meeting, the class regroups to discuss strategies used to solve the day’s problem(s), to share misunderstandings and correct them, to make connections to other areas of math and the real world, and to reflect on what was learned during the lesson. Following this, homework is usually assigned to reinforce and extend what was learned during the day.
Are the children learning the basic skills?  Yes. With experience, each child will learn to remember basic skills by constructing sense of them. Although fluency is more important than memorization, occasional drill and review exercises occur during the mathematics workshop to create balance of learning.
Why is there so much written work?  One of the main goals of standards-based education as well as Investigations is for students to be able to confidently communicate about mathematics. In order for a child to truly understand a concept, he/she must be able to use, represent, and explain his/her thinking of the mathematics. Communicating about math gives children ownership over their understanding.
Can I observe a mathematics lesson with my child’s teacher?  Absolutely. Simply write a note or make a phone call to your child’s math teacher to schedule a time convenient for both of you. Math is taught each day during a full one-hour workshop.
How do absences affect my child? When your child is absent, it is extremely difficult to make up work because mini-lessons and communication that take place during the math workshop are missed. Many lessons also relate in Investigations, therefore, when a child is absent he/she does not see connections being made, and as a result, has a harder time participating in class discussions. It is important to limit absences to a minimum so that your child may gain a complete understanding of concepts being explored in the classroom.