Instruct students to find the numbers before reading the problem. Some students will use numbers as clues to solve the problem. Students can underline or highlight numbers or write them out separately from the problem. For some children, finding the numbers and separating them from the words creates a less intimidating problem.
Help students find the context clues. Words such as "multiplied," "more than," "less than," "how many more" or "how many less" are all context clues. When the clues are found, they can be separated from the problem by writing the symbol next to the words. For example, when the student finds "more than," he can place an addition symbol above or next to the phrase.
Some word problems can be flipped to search for clues. A relationship between the parts of the problem can be formed to find the solution to the problem. For example: Frank wants to buy a pair of socks and a candy bar. He made $20 last week.How much money does Frank have left after he makes the purchases? Flip the problem by writing the amount of money Frank has, subtract money spent on socks, subtract money spent on candy, then find the amount of money Frank has left.
Teach children the UPS Check -- understand, plan and solve, then recheck to make sure the answer is correct. Understanding the problem means asking questions such as "What do I know from reading the problem?" Planning means discovering how the problem will be solved, whether the solution comes from adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing. Solving means completing the solution to find an answer. Checking involves completing the problem backward to make sure the answer is correct.