A focused Grade 4 learning session for Multistep Word Problems using visual models, worked examples, strategy guidance, and a short mastery check.
Student goal: I can solve a multistep word problem and check that my answer makes sense.
Multistep Word Problems means choosing a model, naming what each number means, and explaining the strategy.
Question: A store arranges \(5\) boxes of balls. If there are \(55\) balls total, how many balls are in each box?
Why it works: The diagram shows \(5\) equal boxes holding \(55\) balls in all---"equal groups" is a division signal. Step 1: set up the division: \(55 \div 5\). Step 2: solve: \(55 \div 5 = 11\) balls per box. Quick check: \(5 \times 11 = 55\). \checkmark
Answer: \(11\) balls
Question: The table shows books in each grade. If they combine all books and divide equally among \(9\) classrooms, how many books does each classroom get?
Answer: \(8\) books
Question: A store buys \(7\) guitars at \($6\) each. How much does the store spend in total?
Answer: \($42\)
Question: Ava buys \(3\) boxes of markers. Each box has \(12\) markers. She also buys \(6\) loose markers. How many markers does she have in total?
Why it works: Two steps! Step 1: find how many markers are in the boxes. \(3\) boxes \(\times 12\) markers = \(36\). Step 2: add the loose markers: \(36 + 6 = 42\) markers in total.
Answer: \(42\) markers
Multistep Word Problems becomes easier when students connect the question to a model, use clear steps, and explain why the answer fits.
Understand the model before choosing the operation.
Use scratch paper. The explanation matters more than simply seeing whether the choice is correct.
A library has \(8\) shelves. Each shelf holds \(45\) books. The librarian removes \(72\) books to repair them. How many books are left on the shelves?
Answer D: \(288\)
Two steps! Step 1: find the total books on the shelves. \(8\) shelves \(\times 45\) books = \(360\) books. Step 2: take out the books being repaired. \(360 - 72 = 288\) books left on the shelves.
Ava buys \(3\) boxes of markers. Each box has \(12\) markers. She also buys \(6\) loose markers. How many markers does she have in total?
Answer D: \(42\)
Two steps! Step 1: find how many markers are in the boxes. \(3\) boxes \(\times 12\) markers = \(36\). Step 2: add the loose markers: \(36 + 6 = 42\) markers in total.
Sam has \(24\) stickers. He sorts them into \(4\) equal groups and keeps one group. Then he gets \(8\) more stickers. How many stickers does he have now?
Answer D: \(14\)
Two steps! Step 1: equal groups means divide. \(24 \div 4 = 6\) stickers in the group Sam keeps. Step 2: add the new stickers: \(6 + 8 = 14\) stickers now.
Ming has \(50\) cookies. She gives away \(14\) cookies. Then she puts the remaining cookies equally into \(4\) bags. How many cookies are in each bag?
Answer C: \(9\)
Two steps! Step 1: find how many cookies are left after giving some away. \(50 - 14 = 36\) cookies. Step 2: equal bags means divide: \(36 \div 4 = 9\) cookies per bag.
Diego buys \(5\) packs of pens. Each pack has \(6\) pens. He also has \(4\) old pens. How many pens does he have altogether?
Answer C: \(34\)
Two steps! Step 1: find how many pens are in the packs. \(5 \times 6 = 30\). Step 2: add the old pens: \(30 + 4 = 34\) pens altogether.
A store has \(100\) apples. They receive \(35\) more apples. Then they sell \(42\) apples. How many apples are left?
Answer D: \(93\)
Two steps! Step 1: add the new shipment: \(100 + 35 = 135\) apples. Step 2: take away the ones sold: \(135 - 42 = 93\) apples left.
Mia has \(7\) cups. Each cup holds \(8\) marbles. She loses \(15\) marbles. How many marbles does she have left?
Answer D: \(41\)
Two steps! Step 1: find the total marbles. \(7\) cups \(\times 8\) marbles = \(56\). Step 2: take away the lost marbles: \(56 - 15 = 41\) marbles left.
Noah has \(36\) coins. He sorts them into \(3\) equal groups and keeps one group. Then he spends \(5\) coins. How many coins does Noah have left?
Answer C: \(7\)
Two steps! Step 1: equal groups means divide: \(36 \div 3 = 12\) coins in the group Noah keeps. Step 2: subtract what he spends: \(12 - 5 = 7\) coins left.
Kai has \(15\) toy cars. His mom gives him \(9\) more. He puts them all into \(4\) equal boxes. How many cars are in each box?
Answer D: \(6\)
Two steps! Step 1: find Kai's total cars. \(15 + 9 = 24\) cars. Step 2: equal boxes means divide: \(24 \div 4 = 6\) cars in each box.
A farmer has \(80\) sheep. She sells \(25\) sheep. Then she buys \(30\) new sheep. How many sheep does she have now?
Answer D: \(85\) sheep
Two steps! Step 1: take away the sheep she sold: \(80 - 25 = 55\). Step 2: add the new sheep: \(55 + 30 = 85\) sheep.
A school has \(4\) classrooms. Each classroom has \(28\) students. The principal needs to divide all students into groups of \(7\) for a field trip. How many groups will there be?
Answer D: \(16\)
Two steps! Step 1: find the total students. \(4 \times 28 = 112\) students. Step 2: equal groups of \(7\) means divide: \(112 \div 7 = 16\) groups.
