Making Sense of Word Problems

In this action research study of my classroom of sixth grade mathematics, I investigated word problems.I discovered that my students did not like to try word problems because they did not understand what was being asked of them.My students also saw no reason for solving word problems or in having the ability to solve them.I used word problems that covered topics that were familiar to the students and that covered the skills necessary at the sixth grade level.I wanted to deepen their understanding of math and its importance.By having my students journal to me about the steps that they had taken along the way to solve the word problem I was able to see where confusion occurred.Consequently I was able to help…