Virginia SOL 3.CE.1.e
The Standard
Represent, solve, and justify solutions to single-step and multistep contextual problems involving addition and subtraction with whole numbers where addends and minuends do not exceed 1,000.
Virginia Standards of Learning for Mathematics · The student will estimate, represent, solve, and justify solutions to single-step and multistep problems, including those in context, using addition and subtraction with whole numbers where addends and minuends do not exceed 1,000.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students decide whether to add or subtract at each step of a story problem with numbers no greater than 1,000. They show their thinking with models, equations, and a clear explanation.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student chooses the correct operation for each step and keeps track of intermediate answers. The student solves accurately, labels the answer, and uses a diagram, equations, or words to justify the method.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may choose operations from key words instead of tracking what happens to each quantity. They may stop after the first step, reverse subtraction, or regroup incorrectly. Some give an answer without showing how their model or equations support it.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A library had 685 books, donated 127, and bought 238. How many books does it have now? Require a model, two equations, and one sentence explaining the steps.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Use base-ten blocks to model a two-step story, record an equation for each step, and explain each regrouping to a partner.
Have pairs discuss which operation fits each part of a story and cite the quantities, then write a two-sentence justification.
Play Equation Match: students pair story cards with matching bar models and equations, solve them, and check answers with inverse operations.
Give students a class party budget and price list, then ask them to find the total cost and money remaining.
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Printable 3.CE.1.e Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.CE.1.e, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 2.CE.1.c
Represent, solve, and justify solutions to single-step and multistep contextual problems (e.g., join, separate, part-part-whole, comparison) involving addition ...
- 4.CE.2.h
Estimate, represent, solve, and justify solutions to single-step and multistep contextual problems that involve multiplication with whole numbers.
- 4.CE.1.d
Estimate, represent, solve, and justify solutions to single-step and multistep contextual problems involving addition and subtraction with whole numbers where a...
- 3.CE.2.e
Represent, solve, and justify solutions to single-step contextual problems that involve multiplication and division of whole numbers through 10 × 10.
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