Objective:
The student will be able to solve math word problems.
Materials Needed:
Activity:
Divide students into small groups. Give each group approximately 10-15 minutes to make up at least three math word problems based on the fish in their classroom aquarium or on the aquarium itself. The group also must determine the correct answer for the word problems it creates.
To help get the groups started on their word problems, write these "idea-starters" on the board (and add some of your own!):
Assign a price for each fish in the tank and determine how much change would be left from a $10 bill if you bought these fish at a pet store. A $20 bill? A $50 bill? A $100 bill?
If the aquarium kit costs $76.37, how much change would be left from a $100 bill? A $1,000 bill?
If five gallons of water are pumped through the filter every hour, how many gallons are pumped through the filter each day?
If the fish in our classroom aquarium eat 3 grams of TetraMin® fish food each day, how long would a 48 gram can of TetraMin® last?
If each one of our fish had 13 babies, how many fish would we have in our tank?
If our Aquademics™ tank is 22 inches long, 12 inches wide and 18 inches high, what is the perimeter of our tank? What is the area? What is the volume?
If a gallon of water weighs 8 pounds, how much does our 15-gallon tank weigh if it is full of water?
At the end of the allotted time, have groups exchange word problems and work them. Remind each group that they have just experienced what teachers must do when they make up a math test and praise them for doing such a good job as "Teachers." Encourage each group to praise fellow classmates for finding the correct answers to the word problems.
Result:
By using the aquarium and the fish in the word problems, students can visualize how to solve the problem and feel more comfortable with word problems. Invite several students to write their word problems on the board for the whole class to solve.
