Parent guide · Grade 3 Math · Unit 2

Lesson 2.4 Two-Step Word Problems

Written for the parent. Read the Say this lines aloud as they are, or in your own words. Answers for you are marked Listen for.

At a glance

Time: 5 sessions of 25–30 minutes
Goal: Solve two-step word problems with a bar model.
You need: Pencil and crayons
Print: Worksheet A · Worksheet B · the lesson page

Steps

Warm-up
Do this: Ask these out loud. Your child answers out loud; no paper needed.
- Ask: “300 + 400” Listen for: 700
- Ask: “100 + 800” Listen for: 900
- Ask: “700 + 200” Listen for: 900
- Ask: “700 + 700” Listen for: 1,400
- Ask: “200 + 500” Listen for: 700
Teach the new idea
Say this: “Find the hidden question first, answer it, then answer the main question.”
Say this: “Draw a bar model for each step.”
Say this: “Two-step: a problem that needs two operations.”
Show how
Show: Peter caught 73 fish and Andrew caught 33. They gave 16 to a widow. How many fish do they have left?
Say this: “Unknown: how many at the end.”
Say this: “Step 1: 73 + 33 = 106”
Say this: “Step 2: 106 − 16 = 90”
Say this: “Answer: They have 90 fish left.”
Answer: 90 fish. They have 90 fish left.
Show: Peter caught 416 fish and Andrew caught 123. They gave 299 to a widow. How many fish do they have left?
Say this: “Unknown: how many at the end.”
Say this: “Step 1: 416 + 123 = 539”
Say this: “Step 2: 539 − 299 = 240”
Say this: “Answer: They have 240 fish left.”
Answer: 240 fish. They have 240 fish left.
Practice together
Do this: Your child does these with you. Let them try first; help only after a real try.
Ask: A blacksmith had 997 nails. He used 196 to shoe the horses. How many nails are left?
$bar model$
Listen for: 801 nails. 801 nails are left.
If stuck: Unknown: how many are left.
Ask: A wagon carried 988 sacks of flour. 477 sacks were left at the mill. How many sacks are still on the wagon?
$bar model$
Listen for: 511 sacks. 511 sacks are still on the wagon.
If stuck: Unknown: how many are left.
Ask: Farmer Eli gathered 962 eggs in the morning and 909 eggs in the evening. How many eggs did he gather in all?
$bar model$
Listen for: 1,871 eggs. Eli gathered 1,871 eggs in all.
If stuck: Unknown: the total.
7 more practice items on the lesson page, and on Worksheet A and Worksheet B.
Watch for
- Stopping after the first step.
Game: Cross Check
One player adds two 3-digit numbers on paper while the other estimates. Compare: is the exact answer close to the estimate? Swap roles.
Narration
Say this: “Tell me what you learned today. Show me with your hands or the counters if you like.”
Listen for: Solve two-step word problems with a bar model.
Daily habit
Mental math warm-up: add or subtract 10, 100 or 1,000.

Spread over the week

5 sessions of 25–30 minutes. Stop while it is still going well.

Session 1. Warm-up, then teach the new idea (steps 1 and 2).
Session 2. Warm-up again, then show how with the examples.
Session 3. Practice together, then play the game.
Session 4. More practice on the worksheet, and the daily habit.
Session 5. Quick check: narration and a few practice items. Move on when it is mostly right.