Today, I will use objects to solve problems with the start unknown.
Vocabulary
Teacher Resources
Take From Start Unknown – Word Problems: There were some horses in a field. Six horses ran away, and now there are 3 horses. How many horses were in the field to begin with?
W-6=3 Unknown Solve for the unknown:
6+3=9
Considerations: Students need to be exposed to many ways to represent the unknown (empty box, letters, and symbols). Problems in this lesson prepare students to work with equation and word problems. Both skills are needed in the following lessons.
Steps: 1. Listen carefully to the numbers in the word problem. 2. Use the numbers to write an equation using a symbol or letter to represent the unknown. 3. Solve for the unknown.
Application of MPs: MP2: What math symbol can you use today?
W= 9
MP6: How do you know your answers are correct? MP7: What steps help you solve the problems?
/ *MP1: Make sense of the problem and persevere in solving it! *MP8: Find a strategy to help solve the problem. Directions: Solve for the unknown in the following problems.
1. Equation
State the objective: Today I will use objects to solve problems with the start unknown.
W–6=3 W=
Explain that since it is a subtraction equation, the first number – or the start of the equation – will be the largest number, and to get a larger number 6 can be added to 3.
Model how to write the equation 6 + 3 =. Use 6 objects and add them to 3 more objects to find the sum of 9.
6+3=9
Explain that the unknown number is 9 and write W= 9 under the subtraction equation.
/ Directions: Solve for the unknown in the following problems.
2. Word Problem
State the objective: Today I will use objects to solve problems with the start unknown.
Read the following word problem: There were some cookies on a plate. Seven were eaten and now there are 4 cookies left. How many cookies were on the plate to begin with?
Model how to use the information from the word problem to write a start unknown equation.
–7 =4 =
Explain that since it is a subtraction equation, the first number – or the start of the equation – will be the largest number, and that to get a larger number, 7 can be added to 4.
Model how to write the equation 7 + 4 = . Use 7 objects and add them to 4 more objects to find the sum of 11.
7 + 4 = 11
Explain that the unknown number is 11 and write = 11 under the subtraction equation.
/ Directions: Solve for the unknown in the following problems.
1.
Restate the objective.
Direct students to solve for the unknown using equations and objects.
k–4=4 4 + 4 =8 K=8
2.
Restate the objective.
Read the following word problem: There were some balls on the playground. Five of the balls rolled away and now there are 7 left. How many balls were there to begin with?
Direct students to write an equation representing the unknown, and then use objects to solve for the unknown.
Directions: Solve for the unknown in the following problems.
1. Equation: W
–3=2 W–3=2 3+2=5 W=5
2. Word Problem: There were some bowls of ice cream. Six bowls of ice cream were taken. Now there are none left. How many bowls of ice cream were there to begin with?
–6=0 6+0=6 =6
*MP3: Do you agree/disagree with what said? *MP6: How do you know your answers are correct/reasonable?
Recap today’s lesson with one or more of the following MP questions: MP2: What math symbol did you use today? MP6: How did you know your answers were correct? MP7: What steps helped you solve the problems?