A problem can be represented by objects or simple drawings that preserve the quantities and relationships in the situation: joining, separating, comparing, or forming equal groups. The representation makes clear which quantities are known or unknown and supports selecting addition, subtraction, multiplication, or sharing/grouping division with whole numbers in familiar ranges; it is a model of the situation, not merely a collection of objects or the final answer.
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- Download (or modify) a free worksheet on Represent a problem with objects you can use at home or in class with practice problems that scaffold and explore “Represent a problem with objects” from different perspectives.
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Detailed Explanation: Represent a problem with objects
To represent a word problem, make a drawing or use objects that show:
- what each number means,
- how the groups are related, and
- what amount is unknown.
Example:
Mia has 7 apples. Then she gets 5 more apples. How many apples does she have now?
Step 1: Show the first group.
Draw 7 apples:
🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
Step 2: Show what happens next.
Mia gets 5 more, so draw a second group:
🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 + 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
The sign shows that the two groups join together.
Step 3: Identify the unknown.
The question asks for the total number of apples. Put both groups together and count:
🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
There are apples.
Step 4: Write the matching equation.
The drawing shows the situation: a group of apples joins a group of apples, making a total of apples.
Learn by doing: Represent a problem with objects
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Practice with unlimited practice problems
Practice:
Ten Groups - Add, With Carry, Less than 20
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Download/Modify Free Grade 2 'Represent a problem with objects' Worksheet
Print this free 'Represent a problem with objects' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Ten Groups - Add, With Carry, Less than 20
- Counting in Groups - Picture and Count (Dice)
- Counting in Groups - Picture and Count (Ladybug Spots)
- Counting in Groups - Picture and Count (Flower Petals)
- Base 10 Blocks - Less or Greater Than - Pictures to Symbol - Ones
- Division Foundations - Groups of 10 to Division Sentence
- Division - From Model to Equation
- Division - From Picture to Equation
Units Teaching This Skill
These adaptive units introduce, teach, or reinforce this skill (Represent a problem with objects) through scaffolded problems that grow in difficulty as concepts are understood.