Solving word problems is a critical skill that all students need to master. Drawing is a highly effectively way for students to model and solve problems and to show their mathematical thinking at the same time. Each of these 40 classroom-tested worksheets features a word problem along with plenty of space for students to draw the problem and work through their solution. Students should model the problems with simple, age-appropriate drawings.
Aligned to the standards, the book is organized by the 11 types of addition and subtraction problems first-grade students are expected to be able to solve: Addition: Add to/Result Unknown, Put Together/Total Unknown, Take From/Start Unknown, Compare/Bigger Unknown; Subtraction: Take From/Result Unknown, Take Apart/Addend Unknown, Take From/Change Unknown, Add To/Change Unknown, Add To/Start Unknown, Compare/Difference Unknown, Compare/Smaller Unknown.
Rob Madell earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin. After a brief career as a research mathematician, he became interested in elementary mathematics education and taught K-8 for 10 years at the Village Community School in New York City. He went on to work at Children's Television Workshop (Sesame Street), where he was Vice President for Interactive Technology for 15 years. He is now teaching again, at Compass Charter School in Brooklyn, New York.
Laura Zoe Dombrowski earned a Master's in Educational Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. After teaching for a decade, she now works as an instructional coach, supporting teachers in their professional development.