Ray's New Practical Arithmetic · Art. 19 (problems) · Unit 2: Addition
9. Addition story problems
Goal: Your child sets up and solves addition story problems and writes the answer with its unit (dollars, yards, years).
You'll need
- The book
- A slate, small whiteboard or scrap paper
- A notebook and pencil
What's in the book
Numbered problems: short sums written across the line, then story problems about land, money, goods and dates. Answers are printed after nearly all.
The lesson, step by step
Warm-up
Do the first two across the line aloud or on the slate:
11 + 22 + 33 + 44 + 55 = how many?
Answer: 165.
Reading a story problem
SayFind what we know, what we want, and which numbers to add. Write them in columns.
Read together:
General Washington was born A. D. 1732, and lived 67 years: in what year did he die?
Add 1732 + 67 = 1799.
Another together
Read:
I bought 4 pieces of muslin: the first contained 50 yards...
Write the four lengths in a column and add. The printed answer is 246 yd.
Independent practice
Assign about ten of the remaining numbered problems. Your child writes each answer with its unit.
Check
The answers are printed. Your child checks each one; for any wrong answer, re-add and find the mistake rather than just copying the right number.
Wrap-up
Mental story: You have 35 cents and earn 25 more. How much now? (60 cents.)
Tip
Problem 38, about carpet for the rooms of a house, is a good one to act out: each room's yards first, then the total.