Want to create a balanced schedule to fit EVERYTHING into your math block?

Join me for a FREE, Guided Math workshop to discover how to easily incorporate Guided Math into your current schedule! 

3 Reads Strategy to Problem Solve

Problem solving strategies in math are not always as easy as they seem. Many times, students read a mathematical problem and have no idea what to do from there. I’m often asked how to teach word problems. Word problems especially tend to give students the most trouble because they oftentimes require multiple steps in order to solve. They also require reading and comprehension skills. Although there are multiple problem solving strategies in math, one of my favorite ways to break down these steps is to use the 3 reads strategy for problem solving. Read on to learn how it works!

3 Reads Strategy to Problem Solve Anchor chart

How to Implement the 3 Reads Strategy

In order for the 3 reads strategy to be successful, it’s important that you introduce it to your students by explaining the various steps and the goal of each step. Just like the strategy says, let your students know that you will be reading the math problem 3 times. Each time you read the word problem, you will be looking for different pieces of information each time. This is a much different approach than other problem solving strategies in math, but it is highly effective.

You can watch a break down of the 3 reads strategy in my YouTube video below.

First Read: What is the problem about?

Teacher reads the problem stem out loud ONLY!

The most important concept for your students to understand is that with the first read, they will NOT be able to see the math problem. The teacher will read the question orally while your students listen carefully. They will begin to think about what the problem is about.

I always provide an opportunity after the first read for my students to turn and talk with their shoulder partner about what they just heard.

Overall, the main objective of this step is for students to get a general, brief overview of the word problem. Do not worry if your students don’t pick up on the small details yet. We will work on that in the next step.

3 Reads Strategy Anchor Chart

During the first read, I like to guide students with this 3 reads strategy anchor chart. This will help you visually represent the various pieces of information you’re looking for during the reads and help guide your students’ thinking.

3 Reads Strategy to Problem Solve anchor chart

Second Read: What are the quantities (numbers) & units?

Teacher displays the math problem and tells students to focus on the numbers within the problem.

Throughout the second read of the 3 reads strategy, students will now be given the first opportunity to see what the math problem looks like. You can share it on your whiteboard or under your document camera. Sometimes I would print the problem on a piece of paper and have it face down on my students’ desks. During this step they would be allowed to flip the paper over and look at the problem.

In the course of the second read, I also like to have the whole class participate in a choral read of the math problem. Since this is the first time they are actually seeing the problem, it can be helpful to read it aloud together. One of the key factors for this step is to inform students that there are always quantities or numbers that need to be counted within mathematical problems.

3 Reads Strategy Interactive Notebook Activity

Students can use this interactive notebook activity to break down the 3 reads problem solving strategy in math. You can have students cover the word problem during the first read or have them glue it to the top of their page during the 2nd read.

They can lift the flap and record their thoughts about what the problem is about. They will use this activity to guide their thinking through all of the reads. This goes along perfectly with the whole class 3 reads strategy anchor chart.

3 Reads Strategy to Problem Solve interactive notebook activity

Third Read: What are the possible math questions you could ask about this problem?

Teacher chooses one student to read the question one last time.

As this student is reading the question for the final time, it’s crucial for your class to think about any math questions they can come up with about the problem. I always like to use this step to ask my students, “Can we come up with multiple questions that we can ask about this problem?”

You will notice that you may have to do a little extra digging to really get students thinking during this step. Sometimes probing a few extra questions is necessary so that your class can think more critically and still stay on track. List all the possible questions that your students come up with and decide which one you want to tackle together.

problem solving strategies in math 3 reads strategy template

How To Teach Word Problems

You can have this FREE 3 Reads Strategy problem solving template sent straight to your inbox to use with your own students. All you need to do is fill out the form below. I recommend using your home email address because school spam filters like to block these emails sometimes.

After you’ve done the 3 reads strategy for problem solving a few times as a whole group, give students the opportunity to try it on their own with a partner. Working on problem solving strategies in math is one of the best ways to set students up for success!

If you’re looking for resources where you can incorporate this strategy, be sure to check out my problem solving units! You can find examples of word problems comparing part-part whole-whole unknown as well as comparing difference unknowns!

You can also check out my problem solving strategies in math posters to help your students break down what to look for when solving word problems.

Looking for more tips for teaching problem solving strategies in math?

Check out these blog posts:

Feel free to pin the image below to save this post for later!

3 Reads Strategy to Problem Solve template
Share it:
Email
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter