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Act-It-Out

In this strategy, students read a word problem and act out what is happening in the problem. They
should do this one sentence at a time. It is also helpful if the teacher or another student video record their
classmate so the student(s) can watch it and have a discussion, even watching different students act-it-
out in different ways. After (or during) act-it-out, have students solve the problem. It may be helpful to
have students work in small groups and have someone act out while others write/solve the problem. It is
also a good strategy to fishbowl," meaning have students sit in a circle (they are the observers) and
others go in the middle (the performers) to act-it-out. Then discuss what they noticed or how to solve the
problem.

This was where I really focused on getting students to understand the difference between the four
mathematical operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. We began slowly with one step
word problems and smaller numbers. I had students act-out an operation and we would discuss what
happened. This action would then be charted and practiced daily. We came up with common terms to
use that helped describe the action of each operation. It is best to do this one operation at a time, then
gradually do two operations and build up to all four. It also helps to compare operations. For example, try
comparing just addition and multiplication at first, then addition and subtraction. I would have students
practice sharing their own word problems that they created.

Here you can see more of the charting we did about each operation's action:

Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division

Joining together Taking out Joining EQUAL Taking out EQUAL


Putting together Sharing groups groups
Combining Taking away Adding EQUAL Taking away EQUAL
Giving away groups groups
Putting together Sharing EQUAL
EQUAL groups groups

3. Act It Out

The problem gives information that can be acted out.

The question asks for a solution that can be found by acting something out.

1. Find the information that can be acted out.

2. Act out the information in as many ways as possible.

3. Choose the way that answers the question.

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