BUGS!

Elementary students need several strategies in problem solving to be successful.  I attended the NCTM (National Conference for Teachers of Mathematics) and the presenters shared "BUGS" for teaching problem solving.  B stands for "Bracket the Question".  U is for "Underline the Question".  G is for "Cross out the Garbage" and S is for "Solve the Problem".  My students also know the S is for "What Strategy did you use?"  Here is a picture from my classroom.  BUGS is another way to teach your students how to solve word problems.  Be sure to give your students the tools to make them successful in mathematics.

These are the individual cards.