CUBES Math Strategy In Word Problems with Great 5 Steps

For many students, the mere mention of word problems can induce a sense of unease, even a touch of dread. These mathematical puzzles, often presented as narratives, require not only computational skills but also the ability to decipher language, extract crucial information, and formulate a plan of attack. It’s a multifaceted challenge that can leave young learners feeling lost in a sea of numbers and words. But what if there was a structured, reliable approach to navigate these tricky terrains? Enter the CUBES math strategy, a powerful tool designed to empower students to confidently conquer even the most daunting word problems.

The CUBES math strategy isn’t just another trick or shortcut; it’s a systematic method that breaks down the problem-solving process into five manageable steps. This structured approach not only aids in finding the correct answer but also fosters a deeper understanding of the problem itself. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the intricacies of the CUBES math strategy, exploring each of its five key steps and demonstrating how it can transform the way students approach and solve word problems. Whether you’re a teacher looking for effective classroom techniques or a parent seeking ways to support your child’s mathematical journey, understanding and implementing the CUBES math strategy can be a game-changer.

What is the CUBES Math Strategy?

At its core, the CUBES math strategy is an acronym, with each letter representing a crucial step in tackling word problems. It stands for:

• Circle the numbers
• Underline the question
• Box the keywords
• Evaluate and draw
• Solve and check

This seemingly simple framework provides a robust structure for students to follow, ensuring they don’t overlook vital information or jump to conclusions prematurely. The beauty of the CUBES math strategy lies in its ability to transform a potentially overwhelming task into a series of clear, actionable steps. It’s a problem-solving strategy specifically tailored for word problems, making it an invaluable asset in elementary and primary math education. By consistently applying the CUBES math strategy, students develop a methodical approach that builds confidence and accuracy when faced with word problems. It’s more than just finding the answer; it’s about understanding the process.

The CUBES math strategy is widely recognized for its effectiveness in helping students dissect the language of word problems. It encourages active reading and careful consideration of the information presented. Instead of being intimidated by the narrative, students learn to systematically extract the necessary components to arrive at a solution. This focus on process, facilitated by the CUBES math strategy, is what truly empowers learners to become independent and successful problem solvers when faced with word problems.

Breaking Down the CUBES: The 5 Key Steps

Let’s take a closer look at each of the five essential steps that make up the CUBES math strategy:

• C – Circle the Numbers: The first step in the CUBES math strategy is to actively identify and isolate the numerical information within the word problem. Students are encouraged to physically circle each number they encounter. This seemingly simple act serves several important purposes. Firstly, it ensures that no crucial numerical data is overlooked. Secondly, it helps students differentiate between numbers that are relevant to the calculation and other descriptive words. By circling the numbers, students begin to focus on the quantitative aspects of the word problem, setting the stage for the subsequent steps in the CUBES math strategy.
• U – Underline the Question: Perhaps the most critical step in the CUBES math strategy is identifying the core question being asked. Students are instructed to underline the specific sentence or phrase that poses the question they need to answer. This step is paramount because it clarifies the objective of the word problem. Without a clear understanding of what is being asked, students may perform calculations that are irrelevant or fail to address the actual problem. Underlining the question, as emphasized in the CUBES math strategy, ensures that students maintain focus and work towards the correct goal when tackling word problems. This also reinforces reading comprehension skills within a mathematical context.
• B – Box the Keywords: Word problems often contain specific keywords or phrases that provide clues about the mathematical operation required to solve the problem. The CUBES math strategy emphasizes the importance of identifying and boxing these keywords. For example, words like “in all,” “total,” and “sum” typically indicate addition, while “difference,” “less than,” and “remain” suggest subtraction. Similarly, “product,” “times,” and “multiplied by” point towards multiplication, and “quotient,” “divided by,” and “shared equally” signal division. By actively boxing these keywords, students using the CUBES math strategy gain valuable insights into the mathematical action needed to solve the word problem. This step helps bridge the gap between the language of the problem and the necessary mathematical operations.
• E – Evaluate and Draw: Before jumping into calculations, the CUBES math strategy encourages students to pause and evaluate the information they have gathered. This involves thinking critically about the relationships between the numbers and the question. Furthermore, this step often involves drawing a picture or diagram to visualize the word problem. Visual representations can be incredibly helpful in understanding the context and identifying the steps needed to arrive at the solution. Whether it’s a simple sketch, a bar model, or a more complex diagram, the “Evaluate and Draw” step of the CUBES math strategy promotes mathematical reasoning and helps students develop a plan before they begin calculating the answer to the word problem.
• S – Solve and Check: The final step in the CUBES math strategy is to perform the necessary calculations to solve the word problem and then, crucially, to check the answer. Having followed the previous steps, students should now have a clear understanding of the problem and a plan for solving it. After calculating the answer, the CUBES math strategy emphasizes the importance of checking the solution for accuracy and reasonableness. This might involve working backward, using a different method of calculation, or simply asking if the answer makes sense in the context of the word problem. This final step reinforces accuracy and helps students develop a sense of ownership over their solutions to word problems.

Why Use the CUBES Strategy for Word Problems?

The widespread adoption of the CUBES math strategy in educational settings is a testament to its numerous benefits for students struggling with word problems:

• Improves Problem-Solving Skills: The CUBES math strategy provides a structured and systematic approach to tackling word problems, which inherently improves students’ overall problem-solving skills. By breaking down the problem into smaller, more manageable steps, it reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed and empowers students to approach challenges with a clear plan. This structured approach, central to the CUBES math strategy, helps students develop a logical thought process applicable to various types of word problems.
• Enhances Reading Comprehension in Math: Word problems are, by their very nature, text-based. The CUBES math strategy directly addresses the reading comprehension aspect of these problems by emphasizing the importance of understanding the question and identifying key information. The steps of underlining the question and boxing the keywords within the CUBES math strategy actively engage students in deciphering the language of word problems, leading to improved comprehension and a better ability to extract relevant information.
• Builds Math Confidence: For many students, the fear of failure can be a significant barrier to success in mathematics, particularly when it comes to word problems. The CUBES math strategy helps build confidence by providing a clear roadmap for tackling these challenges. As students successfully navigate each step of the CUBES math strategy, they gain a sense of accomplishment and develop a more positive attitude towards word problems. This increased confidence can lead to greater engagement and a willingness to persevere when faced with difficult word problems.
• Versatile for Different Types of Word Problems: While the examples used to introduce the CUBES math strategy might be simple, its applicability extends to a wide range of word problems involving various mathematical operations. Whether it’s addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division, the core principles of the CUBES math strategy remain effective. Furthermore, with slight adaptations, the CUBES math strategy can even be applied to multi-step word problems, providing a consistent framework for students to rely on.

Applying the CUBES Strategy: Examples in Action

Let’s see the CUBES math strategy in action with a few examples of word problems:

• Example Word Problem 1 (Addition): “Sarah has 15 red balloons and 12 blue balloons. How many balloons does Sarah have in all?”
  • C – Circle the Numbers: 15, 12
  • U – Underline the Question: How many balloons does Sarah have in all?
  • B – Box the Keywords: in all (indicating addition)
  • E – Evaluate and Draw: We need to combine the number of red and blue balloons. A simple drawing of red and blue circles could help visualize this.
  • S – Solve and Check: 15 + 12 = 27. To check, we could subtract: 27 – 12 = 15 (the number of red balloons).
• Example Word Problem 2 (Subtraction): “Tom had 25 cookies. He ate 8 cookies. How many cookies does Tom have left?”
  • C – Circle the Numbers: 25, 8
  • U – Underline the Question: How many cookies does Tom have left?
  • B – Box the Keywords: left (indicating subtraction)
  • E – Evaluate and Draw: Tom started with a certain number and some were taken away. A simple representation could show 25 items with 8 crossed out.
  • S – Solve and Check: 25 – 8 = 17. To check, we could add: 17 + 8 = 25 (the initial number of cookies).
• Example Word Problem 3 (Multiplication): “A farmer has 4 rows of apple trees. Each row has 6 apple trees. How many apple trees does the farmer have in total?”
  • C – Circle the Numbers: 4, 6
  • U – Underline the Question: How many apple trees does the farmer have in total?
  • B – Box the Keywords: each row has (indicating multiplication)
  • E – Evaluate and Draw: We have a repeated group situation. Drawing 4 rows with 6 trees in each can be helpful.
  • S – Solve and Check: 4 x 6 = 24. To check, we could use repeated addition: 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24.

Tips and Tricks for Mastering the CUBES Math Strategy

While the CUBES math strategy provides a solid foundation, here are some additional tips to help students truly master its application to word problems:

• Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to internalizing any strategy, and the CUBES math strategy is no exception. Encourage students to use the CUBES math strategy with a variety of word problems across different mathematical concepts. Regular practice will make the steps feel more natural and automatic.
• Identify Keywords Effectively: Creating a visual aid or a list of common keywords associated with different operations can be beneficial. However, emphasize that context is crucial. Sometimes, keywords might be used in a way that doesn’t directly indicate the operation. Encourage students to think critically about the meaning of the word problem, not just rely solely on keywords.
• Visualize and Draw: Reinforce the power of visual aids. Encourage students to experiment with different types of drawings and diagrams that help them understand the word problem. Even a simple sketch can make a complex problem more accessible.
• Don’t Skip Steps: Emphasize the importance of following each step of the CUBES math strategy in order. Skipping steps can lead to overlooking crucial information or making errors in the problem-solving process when tackling word problems.

Conclusion

The CUBES math strategy is more than just an acronym; it’s a powerful framework that empowers students to approach word problems with confidence and a clear plan. By systematically breaking down the problem-solving process into five manageable steps, the CUBES math strategy not only aids in finding the correct answer but also fosters a deeper understanding of the problem itself.

Whether you’re an educator seeking effective strategies for your classroom or a parent looking for ways to support your child’s mathematical development, embracing the CUBES math strategy can be a transformative step in helping students conquer the challenges of word problems and build a solid foundation in mathematical reasoning. Encourage its consistent use, celebrate successes, and watch as students transform from being intimidated by word problems to confidently tackling them with the power of the CUBES math strategy.