Word problems challenge students with learning disabilities in basic math and applied math skills. LD students with basic reading disabilities and may also have difficulty with word problems. The SQRQCQ can be used in special education programs and IEPs. It can be changed to meet individual children's SDI needs.
This strategy provides a structured approach to solve word problems by guiding students to find important elements and determine how they should be solved. It includes built-in self-questioning to encourage students to find and correct their own mistakes.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: About ten minutes to learn this math problem solving strategy. Work time on problems will vary.
Here's How:
- Survey the Math Problem: Read the problem to get a general idea of its general nature. Talk with your student about the problem and discuss what parts are most important. Determine if there are any "red herrings" in the problem that serve no purpose in solving it. Have the student offer guesses about what the problem wants him to do.
- Ask Yourself Questions about the Problem: Reflect on the reading to determine what the problem is asking you to do. Is the question asking you to estimate, calculate area, multiply, or other operation? Talk about it with your student.
- Read the Problem: Read the question again. This time, focus on the specific details of the problem. What parts of the problem relate to each other? Consider what form your answer should be. Should the answer be in inches, miles, liters, time units, or some other form? Discuss this with your student.
- Question Yourself About the Operations Involved: Reflect again. This time, determine the specific math operations the problem is asking you to perform, and list them on paper in the order they are to be performed.
- Calculate the Problems: Perform each operation in the order you listed it. Check off each step as you finish it.
- Question Yourself About the Steps You Took: Review each step you took. Determine if your answer seems reasonable. If possible, check your answer against the book's answers or have a teacher look at your work to determine if you are on the right track. Check your answers at each step of the operation. Were they correct? If not, make those corrections.
Tips:
- Scan through the text of the word problems you will be solving to identify any words you do not recognize. List them and determine their meanings before solving the problems. Write brief definitions of the terms for your reference during problem solving.
- For students with basic math learning disabilities, consider allowing the use of a calculator as they are learning how to work with word problems. This will allow them to focus on problem solving skills without their calculation disabilities getting in the way.
