Webinars SET A - Grade 1-2 - Sunday@5:45-6:45pm EST-Recording Webinar 3

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this lesson, students learn to solve math problems by drawing simple pictures to illustrate and understand questions better, especially helpful for word problems without images. The class reviews the four-step problem-solving method: 1) Understand the problem by reading carefully and checking all details; 2) Plan how to solve it using strategies like pattern recognition or drawing pictures; 3) Carry out the plan and write down solution steps; 4) Review the answer to ensure it fits all conditions.<br /><br />The instructor explains the importance of correctly interpreting what a question asks to avoid errors, such as confusing units (e.g., pairs vs. individuals) or misreading the problem context. Drawing is emphasized not as perfect art but as simple diagrams or symbols to visualize problems, keeping relative sizes accurate (“draw to scale”) if necessary.<br /><br />Examples covered include reflection problems, counting and dividing groups, distance signs requiring addition of distances in opposite directions, and movement problems (like a frog climbing with advances and slides). Students participate by answering polls, applying drawing skills to analyze and solve each problem.<br /><br />Key takeaways are the usefulness of drawing for comprehension, careful reading of questions, and practicing systematic problem-solving steps for the international Math Kangaroo competition. The lesson concludes encouraging students to use simple drawings to track problem stages, reinforcing that this method clarifies complex word problems and supports accurate answers. The next class will continue these strategies with a substitute teacher while the instructor attends a conference.

Keywords

math problem solving

drawing pictures

word problems

four-step method

understanding questions

problem-solving strategies

visualization

scale drawing

Math Kangaroo

systematic approach