4.5.A
The Standard
represent multi-step problems involving the four operations with whole numbers using strip diagrams and equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Mathematics
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students turn a word problem with several steps into a strip diagram and a matching equation. They choose the needed operations and use a letter for the value they need to find.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students identify each step and show how the quantities are related in a clear strip diagram. They write a matching equation, solve accurately, and explain what the letter represents.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may choose operations from key words instead of tracking the quantities. They may draw bars that do not match the equation, or treat the letter as a unit label rather than an unknown value.
How to Assess It
- Give this exit ticket: “A library has 6 shelves with 24 books each, then buys 37 more books. Draw a strip diagram, write an equation using b, and solve.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs paper strips to cut, label, and arrange into a model for a two-step word problem before writing the equation.
Ask, “How does each part of your strip diagram appear in your equation?” and have students explain in two sentences.
Post problem cards around the room, then have teams match each card to the correct strip diagram and equation.
Use a class party budget with item prices and quantities, then have students model the total cost and remaining money.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- 5.4.B
represent and solve multi-step problems involving the four operations with whole numbers using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity
- 3.5.B
represent and solve one- and two-step multiplication and division problems within 100 using arrays, strip diagrams, and equations
- 3.3.A
represent fractions greater than zero and less than or equal to one with denominators of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 using concrete objects and pictorial models, includin...
- 3.5.A
represent one- and two-step problems involving addition and subtraction of whole numbers to 1,000 using pictorial models, number lines, and equations
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