Students often struggle to connect math with the real world. Word problems—a combination of words, numbers, and mathematical operations—can be a perfect vehicle to take abstract numbers off the page.

Solve word problems using a checklist. Engage in a Number Talk to find "how many." Solve addition and subtraction word problems with a Step-by-Step Visual Model checklist. Understand what the problem ...

With the right lesson plan, teachers can turn struggling students into budding mathematicians. The secret is carefully guiding their adventure in numbers I still vividly remember the day, 14 years ago ...