Math Action Words
If a word problem asks you to find the "total" amount or how many you have "altogether," what math operation should you use?
Addition (or Plus)
A math problem asks how much a normal dog weighs. Option A is 40 pounds. Option B is 4,000 pounds. Which answer is definitely wrong, or "trash"?
Option B (4,000 pounds)
Listen to this problem: "Maria has 10 apples. She eats 2. How many are left?" How would you retell this story without saying any numbers?
Maria had some apples and ate some
The question asks, "What happened in the year 1995?" What specific word or number should your eyes scan for in the story?
The number 1995 or year
If you are stuck on a question for a long time and have no idea what the answer is, what is the best thing to do?
Make your best guess and move on
If a question asks "How many more did he have?" or "What is the difference?", what math operation should you use?
Subtraction (or Minus)
The story says a boy lost his favorite toy. Option A says he is sad. Option B says he is happy. Which answer can you cross out as "trash"?
Option B (happy)
When you see a huge, scary math paragraph, which sentence should you read first to figure out what to do in the question?
The last sentence (the actual question)
The question asks, "What does the word fragile mean in paragraph 3?" Where is the very first place you should look?
Paragraph 3
True or False: If a question is too hard, you should just leave it blank
False! (You should always make an educated guess, never leave it blank)
If 12 kids are "shared equally" into 3 groups, what math operation do you use?
Division
The problem asks you to add 12 + 15. Option A is 27. Option B is 3. Why is 3 a "trash" answer?
Because when you add, the number has to get bigger, not smaller.
Sarah has 5 dogs. Her brother has 3 cats. How many DOGS do they have together?" What is the trick or "trash" information in this problem?
Her brother has 3 cats
Before you start reading a really long story, what two things should you look at to get a quick clue about what it will be about?
The Title and the Pictures
If you start to feel stressed or overwhelmed during the test, what should you do with your body before clicking the next question?
Take a deep breath or stretch in your chair
On the math test, if it asks you to find the "product," what do you need to do?
Multiplication
The question asks, "Where did the story happen?" Option A is "At night." Why is this a "trash" answer?
Because "at night" tells you WHEN, not WHERE.
John buys 3 shirts for $10 each. He pays with a $50 bill. How much change does he get?" What is the hidden first step you must solve?
Finding out how much the shirts cost altogether (3 x 10)
If a question asks for the "Main Idea" of the whole story, which two paragraphs are the most important to re-read?
The first paragraph and the last paragraph
If a reading story is super long and boring, how can you break it up so your brain doesn't get too tired?
Read just 1 or 2 paragraphs at a time, then take a quick pause
If a problem says "Maria has 3 times as many apples," what math operation should you use?
Multiplication
The question asks about the main character's personality. Option A is "She is tall." Option B is "She is brave." Which answer is "trash" and why?
Option A, because being tall is how you look, not your personality.
If you read a word problem and your brain freezes, what is the best thing to draw on your scratch paper to help you
A picture or a model
The question asks about a man named "Dr. Smith." To find him fast, you should scan the story for what kind of letter?
Capital letters
What is the most important thing to say to yourself when the test gets hard?
"I am smart," "I can do this," or "I will try my best!" (Accept any positive answer!)