Teaching Strategies
Problem solving fractions word problems requires a process in solving the problem. The acronym R. I. L. L. S. is a simple process I use in my classroom when solving math problems. R means to read the problem carefully. It means to imagine the problem in your mind and make a picture of what is happening and see what the question is asking you to do. L means to look for the facts within the problem, like the numbers and their relationship to each other. The second L means to look for the unknown to help you solve the problem. Unknowns like the clue words to help you decide which operation(s) you will need to solve the word problem. S means to solve the problem by writing it as a number sentence and answering the questions. Below are examples of fraction word problems for students.
The total length of two rugs is 10 feet. If one rug is 5 ⅞ feet, what is the length of the other rug?
5 ½ feet of a string of yarn is used to make a small loom and 2 ⅞ feet of string to make a stripe weave on the loom. How much more string is used to make the loom than the stripe design?
On the weekend students spend 6 3/5 hours weaving and 1 ¼ hours resting. How much less time did they spent resting then weaving?
The Ganado pattern rug is 4 7/12 feet tall. The Two-Grey Hill rug is 3 ¾ feet tall. How much taller is the Ganado pattern then the Two Grey Hill?
Three weaving combs measure 5 ¾ inches, 4 ½ inches, and 7 ⅔inches in length. What is the difference between the longest and shortest lengths of weaving combs?
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