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Exploring the Power of the CUBES Math Strategy for Word Problems

February 21, 2024

Math problem-solving is one of the most challenging things we teach. The CUBES strategy is all
about helping students tackle those tricky word problems with ease. Whether you’re dealing
with pesky volume or area questions, or trying to figure out how many more apples Sally has
than Timmy, the CUBES math strategy can be a great way to help those learners who struggle
with word problems develop a systematic method to approach these problems. By breaking
down the problem into smaller, more manageable chunks, you can quickly solve even the most
complicated math problems.
So if you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head in frustration over your struggling
learners’ battle with story problems, fear not! The CUBES math strategy is here to make your life
a whole lot easier. Stick around to learn more about how this awesome strategy can help you
help your struggling students become math problem-solving pros!

What is the CUBES Math Strategy?

The CUBES math strategy is a tool designed to help give students a systematic approach to
breaking down and solving math word problems. The acronym C.U.B.E.S stands for:

 Circle key numbers & units

 Underline the question

 Box math action words

 Evaluate the problem

 Solve the problem & check your work

By breaking down the problem into these steps, students can better understand the context of
the problem and effectively solve it.

Benefits of using the CUBES strategy in math word problems

While CUBES is not the ideal method for all math problem solving, especially as word problems
become more complex, you can use the strategy as a starting point to guide struggling students
in being more attentive and systematic when tackling word problems.

Many struggling learners struggle with executive functioning and need a clear-cut plan for
tackling this next-level math skill, and incorporating a strategy like CUBES into your teaching can
give them steps to approach word problems rather than leaving them overwhelmed and unsure
where to begin. This can help students build confidence in their ability to successfully solve
math story problems and prepare them to solve multi-step problems, ultimately enhancing their
problem-solving skills.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the CUBES Strategy

Implementing the CUBES strategy means teaching students the key steps and working through a
gradual release process until they can effectively do this themselves. This systematic approach
helps students understand the problem and empowers them to tackle word problems with
confidence. Here’s a little more about each step your students will need to achieve:

C- Circle the numbers & units

C stands for “circle the key information.” This includes the numbers, units, and core information
needed to solve the problem. This includes identifying math vocabulary that represents a
number, such as “several,” “half,” or “a dozen.” Some questions may not involve numbers at all,
in which case you would circle each instance of the word “none.” It is also important to identify
units (such as feet, miles, or kilograms) and whether there is a decimal point.
While we don’t want students solely relying on keywords when faced with a word problem, it
can be helpful for them to recognize which words are references to mathematical symbols. For
example, “+” means addition, and “-” means subtraction.

U- Underline the question

After students read the problem and circle numbers/units, they must underline the question.
While this may seem silly, if students aren’t attending to what is being asked, they won’t get the
right answer. Helping students stay on target is a key component of the CUBES strategy for
solving math problems.

Once your student has underlined the question and knows exactly what he or she needs to
solve, it’s time to move on to step B: boxes and bullets.

B- Box math action words

Notice this doesn’t say keywords…Again, we don’t want students focused solely on using
keywords for math problem solving. Research has shown time and time again this is an
ineffective strategy once problems become more complex.

That said, students need to look at word problems through the lens of critical readers. What in
the problem gives them a clue as to what they need to do to solve it?

Just like the author of a story gives us details to help us infer and get to the story’s resolution,
the author of a word problem helps us find the path to the solution. We need to be critical
readers to get there. This is where boxing key information can be helpful. Here are some
common examples that are often viewed as keywords but are critical for students to attend to
to solve problems accurately:

 Addition: add, added, both, sum, total

 Subtraction: difference between, less than

 Multiplication: times twice as many/much as of every

 Division: split equally among/between each share out of

E- Evaluate or Equation

At this stage, it’s time to implement your strategy to solve. For some students, this will be
writing and solving the equation. Others may need to evaluate by drawing a picture or using
manipulatives to model the problem.

Either way, by this stage your learners should have broken down the problem to the point that
they feel confident implementing a method that will lead them to the final step – solving.
S- Solve & Check

Once the strategy has been chosen, guide your students through the process of solving the
problem. This may involve writing out the equation, solving for the unknown variable, and
checking their work to ensure they have found the correct solution.

Encourage your students to show their work and explain their reasoning as they solve the
problem. This will not only help them understand the process better but also allow you to
provide feedback and support if needed.

It’s important to emphasize the importance of checking their work to ensure they have found
the correct solution. This may involve plugging the solution back into the original problem to
verify it or checking their work for errors in calculations.

Once your students have successfully solved the problem, congratulate them on their hard work
and encourage them to reflect on the process. Ask them questions such as what strategies
worked well for them, what challenges they encountered, and how they can apply what they
have learned to similar problems in the future.

By guiding your students through the process of problem-solving and encouraging them to
reflect on their work, you are helping them develop essential critical thinking skills that will
serve them well in all areas of their education and beyond.

Tips for Implementing the CUBES Math Word Problem Strategy

Whenever you’re preparing to implement a strategy with your struggling learners, it can be
helpful to get some tips from teachers who have been there. In asking for advice from
colleagues, here’s what they had to say.

To teach the cubes strategy, you should:

 Teach the strategy as a whole. Because this is such a visual strategy, it’s useful to
provide multiple examples of how to solve problems with CUBES on a poster or anchor
chart. You can use the chart below as an example of what to include.

 Use a standard problem as an example. Before having students practice on their own,
have them watch and listen as you model how to use the CUBES strategy on the board
using a Problem of the Day or by writing in student journals. Visual learners will
appreciate watching you write out each step and manipulate your complex number
sentence cube.
 Use anchor charts you make together in class. Then transfer that knowledge into
modeling one or two more examples with students using cubes they create out of
construction paper, or if necessary, manipulatives like buttons or dry beans.

 Don’t fall into the trap that the standard algorithm is the only way to solve once the
strategy has been used. Let students draw pictures, use manipulatives, make number
lines, or whatever other strategies you’ve taught. The CUBES math strategy is to help
them break up the problem. It isn’t the guiding principle of the math calculations.

 Students can use CUBES to filter out irrelevant details and focus on the essential
details needed to solve the problem. By guiding students to evaluate the problem
systematically, you can help students make informed decisions and tackle complex math
challenges. It is great for learners who might get bogged down in all the details.
AI-generated content

Please give me proposed interventions for the following issues and concerns in mathemeatics 1.
Pupils are hard-up in computing basic multiplication and division. 2. They cannot memorize the
multiplication table. 3. They have a hard time in solving word problems. 4. They cannot write
numbers in words. 5. They cannot follow instructions well. 6. They are confused in a part-whole
relationship. 7. They are hard-up in solving math equations with bigger /higher numbers.

Proposed Interventions for Mathematics Difficulties

This outlines interventions addressing difficulties in basic arithmetic, word problems, number
representation, instruction following, part-whole relationships, and calculations with larger
numbers.

Addressing Difficulties in Basic Multiplication and Division

Issue: Pupils struggle with basic multiplication and division computations.

Interventions:

1. Manipulatives: Use concrete objects (counters, blocks) to visually represent

multiplication and division problems. This helps build understanding before abstract
calculations1.

2. Skip Counting: Practice skip counting to build a foundation for multiplication and
division facts. This reinforces the relationship between repeated addition/subtraction
and multiplication/division1.

3. Arrays: Use arrays (rows and columns of objects) to visually represent multiplication
problems. This connects visual representation to numerical calculations1.

4. Games: Incorporate games and interactive activities to make learning multiplication and
division more engaging and less rote1.
 5. Differentiated Instruction: Provide individualized support tailored to each student's
specific needs and learning style. This ensures that all students receive appropriate
support.

Addressing Difficulties in Memorizing Multiplication Tables

Issue: Pupils struggle to memorize multiplication tables.

Interventions:

1. Flashcards: Use flashcards with visual aids and spaced repetition techniques to aid
memorization. This is a classic technique that can be effective with consistent practice.

2. Songs and Rhymes: Incorporate songs and rhymes to make memorization more fun and
engaging. This taps into different learning styles and makes memorization less tedious.

3. Mnemonics: Teach students memory techniques like mnemonics to help them

remember multiplication facts. This can be particularly helpful for students who struggle
with rote memorization.

4. Regular Practice: Provide consistent and regular practice opportunities, focusing on

mastery of facts rather than speed. This emphasizes understanding over speed and
reduces pressure.

Addressing Difficulties in Solving Word Problems

Issue: Pupils struggle to solve word problems.

Interventions:
 1. Visual Aids: Encourage students to draw pictures or diagrams to represent the problem.
This helps translate abstract words into a concrete visual.

2. Keyword Identification: Teach students to identify keywords that indicate specific

mathematical operations (e.g., "total" suggests addition). This helps students
understand what to do with the numbers.

3. Step-by-Step Approach: Break down word problems into smaller, manageable steps.
This makes the problem less overwhelming and easier to solve.

4. Real-World Connections: Relate word problems to real-world scenarios to make them

more relatable. This helps make math more relevant and engaging.

Addressing Difficulties in Writing Numbers in Words

Issue: Pupils struggle to write numbers in words.

Interventions:

1. Number Charts: Use number charts that show numbers in both numerical and word
form. This provides a visual reference for students to learn the correct spelling.

2. Practice Activities: Provide regular practice writing numbers in words, starting with
smaller numbers and gradually increasing difficulty. This builds confidence and fluency.

3. Multi-Sensory Approach: Incorporate multi-sensory activities, such as writing numbers

in sand or using playdough to form numbers. This engages different senses and aids
memorization.

Addressing Difficulties in Following Instructions

Issue: Pupils struggle to follow instructions.

Interventions:

1. Clear and Concise Instructions: Ensure instructions are clear, concise, and easy to
understand. Avoid ambiguity and use simple language.

2. Visual Cues: Use visual cues (pictures, diagrams) to support written or verbal
instructions. This helps students who are visual learners.

3. Modeling: Model the task or procedure step-by-step before asking students to complete
it independently. This provides a clear example for students to follow.

4. Check-ins: Provide regular check-ins to ensure students understand and are following
instructions correctly. This allows for immediate clarification and prevents mistakes.

Addressing Difficulties in Part-Whole Relationships

Issue: Pupils struggle to understand part-whole relationships.

Interventions:

1. Fraction Circles: Use fraction circles to visually represent parts and wholes. This helps
students understand how parts make up a whole.

2. Number Bonds: Use number bonds to show how numbers can be broken down into
smaller parts. This reinforces the relationship between parts and wholes.

3. Real-World Examples: Use real-world examples (e.g., sharing a pizza) to illustrate part-
whole relationships. This helps make the concept more concrete and relatable.

Addressing Difficulties in Solving Equations with Larger Numbers

Issue: Pupils struggle to solve math equations with larger numbers.

Interventions:

1. Place Value Charts: Use place value charts to help students understand the value of
each digit in a number. This helps students understand the structure of large numbers.

2. Breaking Down Problems: Break down larger problems into smaller, more manageable
steps. This makes the problem less daunting and easier to solve.

3. Estimation: Teach students to estimate answers before solving the problem. This helps
them check their work and identify potential errors.

4. Alternative Algorithms: Introduce alternative algorithms (e.g., partial sums, partial

products) to make calculations more efficient. This offers different approaches to solving
problems.

Remember to consistently monitor student progress and adjust interventions as needed.

Regular assessment and feedback are crucial for effective instruction.

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Suggest some apps or websites that can help with multiplication and division.

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Please give me proposed interventions for the following issues and concerns in mathemeatics 1.
Pupils are hard-up in computing basic multiplication and division.

2. They cannot memorize the multiplication table.

3. They have a hard time in solving word problems.

4. They cannot write numbers in words.

5. They cannot follow instructions well.

6. They are confused in a part-whole relationship.

7. They are hard-up in solving math equations with bigger /higher numbers.