cubes problem solving strategy poster

Join the classroom decor club! [open now!] 🌸🌸🌸

Using CUBES Math Strategies in the Classroom with 5 Adorable Posters

The education world is constantly adding new acronyms! One that deserves some recognition is the CUBES math strategies. These strategies are perfect for kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade students. The concept will have your students solving math problems with confidence and flair. If you aren’t sure what these strategies are, I’ll show you and provide you with some exciting posters to use as well.

What is CUBES?

CUBES is not just another ordinary math strategy; it’s an acronym that stands for Circle the numbers, Underline the question, Box the keywords, Evaluate, and Solve! By using these CUBES math strategies, students will be able to solve any math problem placed in front of them.

Why is CUBES important?

Now, you might be thinking, “Why should I bring CUBES into my classroom?” Well, CUBES is more than just a fun acronym—it’s an essential tool that helps build problem-solving skills, encourages critical thinking, and boosts overall math proficiency in our young learners. Here are some of the reasons it is so important.

• Guiding Their Focus: CUBES guides students in breaking down math problems step by step. By circling the numbers and underlining the question, they learn to identify the key parts of the problem, helping them stay focused on what needs to be solved.
• Keyword Power: Boxing the keywords gives students clarity! By identifying and highlighting the important terms or actions in a problem, students gain a better understanding of what the problem is truly asking.
• Finding the Right Strategy: With CUBES, students learn to evaluate the problem and decide on the most suitable strategy. Whether it’s counting, drawing pictures, using manipulatives, or using number bonds, they’ll have tons of strategies to choose from!
• Simple Solutions: Finally, CUBES empowers students to solve the problem step by step, leading them to that “aha!” moment when the math magic happens! From addition and subtraction to multiplication and division, CUBES encourages a systematic approach that boosts accuracy and confidence.

CUBES Math Strategies Posters

I have created some exciting CUBES Math Posters you can use with your students to remind them about these strategies. Choose from a Calm Pastel Set with soft colors and inviting visuals or a Hey Lisa! set with vibrant colors and patterns that catch the eye.

Both sets come with the five CUBES hearts posters and editable posters to add your text. Use the strategy posters included or edit them to meet your needs. Then, print student versions so they can keep the CUBES math strategies in their binders or desks for reference. With these visual aids, they’ll be mastering their math problems in no time.

CUBES is the key to unlocking the excitement of math in your classrooms! Introducing this playful and engaging strategy’ll empower your students to conquer all math problems. So, go ahead and bring the joy of CUBES into your math lessons—watch your students’ eyes light up with mathematical brilliance and witness the wonders of their math skills unfolding before your very eyes! Let’s make math an adventure they’ll never forget!

Be sure also to check out the entire Calm Pastel Bundle and the whole Hey Lisa! Classroom Bundle . Both sets come with 5000+ pages of classroom bulletin boards, posters, labels, printables, digital files, and more. There are alphabet posters, math posters, decorations, class schedules, growth mindset charts, and anything else you can think of for the elementary classroom.

More Posts You Will Love

Check out these other educational posts. You’ll find exciting information and precious resources in your primary education classroom!

• 20 Examples of SMART Goals for Students & Fun Growth Mindset Posters
• 5 Reasons Why The Classroom Environment is Critical to Student Success
• 5 Unique September Bulletin Board Ideas

Also, be sure to sign up for the FREEBIE Vault! It contains tons of free resources to use in the classroom all year long. Just enter your email address and name, and you’ll get the code to enter.

• Back to School , Classroom Decor , Teaching Ideas

Stephanie Nash

I have been helping teachers organize, develop routines, and create inviting & beautiful classrooms since 2012!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Hey y’all!  I’m Stephanie Nash.  I have been helping teachers organize, develop routines, and create inviting & beautiful classrooms since 2012!

Looking for something?

• Teaching Ideas
• Classroom Decor
• Classroom Organization
• Classroom Tools

NEW in the Shop

Bulletin Board Ideas For All Year! | Bulletin Board Bundle | Bulletin Boards With Students’ Faces | Door Decor Ideas

Elementary Classroom Newsletters | Bright Classroom Newsletters

Shop categories.

You might Also Like:

©2021 Stephanie Nash. All Rights Reserved.

Designed by ashley hughes..

Shop Sweet Tooth Teaching

FIND RESOURCES:

CUBES Problem Solving Strategy Poster | Math Posters

This math problem-solving strategy will help your students solve multi-step word problems. A quick and easy acronym that will help students understand the steps in problem solving!

C- Circle the numbers

U- Underline the question

B- Box the keywords

E- Eliminate information not needed

S- Solve by showing your work

ZIP | 30 pages

Description

• Reviews (0)

What’s Included:

+ White background with chunky font

+ White background with thin, clean font

+ Black background with chunky font

Read Before Purchasing:

All files are DIGITAL download files in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat to access this resource. Once you purchase, you will be prompted to a page where you can download your file(s). You will also receive an email with a link to the downloadable file(s). Additionally, you can access your files at any time by visiting the ‘ My Account ‘ section.

Have other questions? Check out the FAQ page for questions about downloads, editable files, printing, and more!

Join the Sweet Teacher Community!

There are no reviews yet.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your review  *

Name  *

Email  *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related products

3rd Grade Winter Morning Work | ELA Daily Review Activities | Printable & Digital Bell Ringers BUNDLE

Place Value Math Centers & Activities – Hundreds, Thousands, & Millions

Math Review Jenga Game | 3rd-4th Grade | EDITABLE Cards

3rd Grade Fall Morning Work | ELA Daily Review Activities | Printable Bell Ringers

Trending Post : Easy Fixes for Behavior Challenges

Exploring the Power of the CUBES Math Strategy for Word Problems

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:

• C ircle key numbers & units
• U nderline the question
• B ox math action words
• E valuate the problem
• S olve 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.

Similar Posts

Count on Laughter: 40 Funniest Math Jokes for Kids

6 Easy Fall Math Stations to Engage Hands-On Learners

5 Ways to Build Math Problem Solving Skills (based on brain research)

How to Simplify Addition with Regrouping to Help Struggling Learners

A peek inside the 7th Grade Math Spiral Review

Math Problem of the Day: Tips for Getting Started & Freebies

Register for free

CUBES Problem Solving Math Strategy Posters Signs for Bulletin Boards

$ 3.00 Multi-licenses $ 5.00

• Resource Type
• Decor & Displays
• Math Centers

sold by Arrows Up Learning

View shop page

Item Details

Digital Download

INSTANT DOWNLOAD Files will be available for download from your account once payment is confirmed. Learn more . Please contact the seller about any problems with your order using the question button below the description.

Item description

This set of posters is the perfect way to reinforce problem solving strategies among your learners. Students can easily reference these CUBES posters or handouts to help them during math time! Just print, pass out or hang! Use year after year. Perfect for math notebooks!

Posters   Included in this set:

– CUBES title poster

– CUBES title poster (black & white)

– 5 sheets spelling out the word “CUBES”

– Circle the numbers poster

– Underline the question poster

– Box the keywords poster

– Eliminate and evaluate poster

– Solve and check poster

– CUBES handout for student math notebooks

*All posters set to print on standard 8.5″ x 11″ paper and are all shown on the cover and thumbnails*

If you have any questions regarding this product, please do not hesitate to ask.

Please remember to rate this product and leave feedback.

From the same author

Clock labels telling time country western cowboy cowgirl theme.

by Arrows Up Learning

Easily attach these cute Western-themed labels around your clock to help your students practice telling time. Labels are provided in 5 minute increments and measure roughly 3" by 3" (plus…

• Not Grade Specific
• Back to School
• For All Subjects

Happy Birthday Bulletin Board Display Posters Nautical Sailing Theme Editable

Add this cute "Happy Birthday" banner to your classroom walls or bulletin boards to help recognize student birthdays! This editable Nautical-themed PowerPoint allows you to personalize your chart by typing…

Voice Level Chart Posters Classroom Management Rustic Farmhouse Shabby Chic

These Rustic-themed voice level posters are the perfect way to help manage your classroom! This chart can be used to easily recognize and address the voice level in your classroom.…

Clock Labels Telling Time Superhero Theme

Easily attach these cute Superhero-themed labels around your clock to help your students practice telling time. Labels are provided in 5 minute increments and measure roughly 3" by 3" (plus…

Apple Class Decor Bundle (Posters, Binder Covers, Schedule, Calendar, Jobs)

This money-saving bundle is a collection of 11 different Apple-Themed resources to help you decorate, organize, and manage your classroom!*********************************************************************************This product has over 200 pages of Apple-Themed resources!Included in this Apple bundle:-…

• End of Year

Choice Board Bundle: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Writing, Vocabulary, Genre, Biography

This money saving mega bundle is a collection of 10 different choice board products which will provide you with resources and activities to differentiate all year long!Included in this bundle:Genres…

• Language Arts
• Literacy Centers

(502) 895-9500    |    [email protected]

CUBES: Who is Doing the Thinking?

Written by vmillerbennett.

A search on the internet for “CUBES math strategy” yields about 36 million results. Seeing a bright, cheery, and colorful CUBES poster on display in mathematics classrooms is a typical occurrence. Elementary and middle school mathematics teachers who are familiar with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) or their state’s version of CCSSM might know that the phrase “solve word problems” shows up 20 times in the grades kindergarten through grade seven standards, signaling its importance (National Governors Association, 2010).

In elementary mathematics education, problem-solving strategies like CUBES (Circle, Underline, Box, Evaluate, Solve) and keyword approaches have been staples in the toolkit of teachers aiming to guide young learners through puzzling mathematical tasks also known as story problems. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report , “the average fourth-grade mathematics score decreased by 5 points and was lower than all previous assessment years going back to 2005. The average eighth-grade mathematics score decreased by 8 points compared to 2019 and was lower than all previous assessment years going back to 2003. In 2022, fourth- and eighth-grade mathematics scores declined for most states/jurisdictions as well as for most participating urban districts compared to 2019” (NAEP, 2022).

This alarming trend again underscores the need for comprehensive reforms in mathematics education across the United States, emphasizing teaching methodologies grounded in research, increased support for educators, and targeted instruction to address learning gaps and promote mathematical proficiency among all students.

Structured and procedural methods, like CUBES, that are often offered as support to students as they solve word problems need to be eradicated. The ability to think critically and independently is essential for all students. In this blog post, we’ll explore why reliance solely on CUBES and keyword strategies may hinder the development of cognitive skills and why it is imperative for teachers to prioritize teaching students how to think instead.

The Pitfalls of Structured Strategies

Structured problem-solving strategies may offer a sense of security and direction for both students and teachers. However, such scaffolds come with inherent limitations that can impede genuine understanding and hinder the cultivation of critical thinking abilities. Recipe-like directives also prevent students from engaging in tasks that are of high cognitive demand and collaborative, for example.

1. Rote Memorization Over Conceptual Understanding

Structured strategies often encourage students to follow a predetermined set of steps without truly grasping the underlying concepts. This can lead to a surface-level understanding based on rote memorization rather than conceptual understanding and opportunities for making connections, seeing patterns, and thinking mathematically, in general.

2. Lack of Flexibility and Adaptability

While CUBES and keyword strategies may be effective for certain types of problems, they can be restrictive when faced with more complex or unconventional scenarios. Students may struggle to apply these rigid frameworks outside of the specific contexts they were taught, limiting their ability to adapt their problem-solving skills to novel situations. Powell, Namkung, and Lin (2022) analyzed 747 high-stakes released items across grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Keywords were identified and then matched to the implied or commonly associated operation. The correct solution to routine problems was found less than 50% of the time when following the method implied by the keyword. The rate of success was less than 10% of the time with multistep routine word problems. Elementary and middle school students are asked to solve word problems categorized as directive, routine, or nonroutine. (Powell & Fuchs, 2018).

3. Stifling Creativity and Exploration

By providing a formulaic approach to problem-solving, structured strategies leave little room for creativity, exploration, and divergent thinking. Students may become accustomed to following prescribed procedures rather than engaging in the exploration and experimentation essential for developing innovative problem-solving skills. Keyword strategies such as CUBES remove opportunities for students to think while at the same time fostering the act of pulling numbers from the task and simply operating. The well-known example problem of the shepherd’s age illustrates this. When presented with the problem “There are 120 sheep and 5 dogs in a flock. How old is the shepherd?”, a common response of “125” is given. The correct response is “There is not enough information”. For more on this task, see “Informing the Need for Critical Thinking in Mathematics” by Vardeh (2020).

The Case for Teaching Students to Think

In contrast to the confines of structured strategies, nurturing students’ ability to think critically empowers them to tackle problems with depth, insight, and flexibility. Here is why prioritizing student thinking is paramount.

1. Building a Strong Foundation for Lifelong Learning

By focusing on cultivating critical thinking skills, educators lay the groundwork for students to become lifelong learners who can adapt to the challenges of an ever-changing world. Rather than simply providing answers, teachers equip students with the tools to analyze, evaluate, and solve problems independently.

2. Fostering Resilience and Confidence

When students are encouraged to think critically and grapple with challenging problems, they develop resilience and confidence in their abilities. They learn to persevere in the face of difficulties, knowing that they have the skills and resources to overcome obstacles.

3. Encouraging Deep Conceptual Understanding

Critical thinking goes hand in hand with deep conceptual understanding. By engaging students in meaningful explorations of mathematical concepts, educators foster a profound understanding that transcends memorization and enables students to make connections across various domains of knowledge.

Strategies for Cultivating Critical Thinking

How can teachers shift their focus from structured strategies to nurturing critical thinking in their students? Here are a few practical approaches:

1. Inquiry-Based Learning

Embrace inquiry-based learning approaches that encourage curiosity, exploration, and discovery. Provide students with open-ended questions and real-world problems that invite them to investigate, analyze, and propose solutions.

2. Incorporate Reading Comprehension Strategies

Visualizing, retelling, making connections, and asking questions are established reading comprehension strategies that teachers of all grade levels can use to support students in making sense of the context of any type of word problem. Many students learn these strategies in language arts classes and can easily apply them to mathematics problem-solving as well (Gallagher, Ellis, & Weiland, 2021).

3. Promote Metacognition

Encourage metacognitive reflection by asking students to articulate their problem-solving processes and strategies. Prompt them to consider why certain approaches were successful or unsuccessful and how they might approach similar problems differently in the future. Encourage dialogue among peers and provide opportunities for students to write or draw to represent their thinking.

In moving toward developing critical thinking in mathematics education, teachers should move beyond the constraints of step-by-step problem-solving strategies like CUBES and keyword approaches. By prioritizing the development of critical thinking skills, educators empower students to become resilient, confident, and independent learners who are equipped to tackle the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. If you are seeking valuable insights and strategies to enhance your teaching practices in elementary and middle school mathematics, I highly recommend “Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally” (Van de Walle, Karp, & Bay-Williams, 2022).

Gallagher, M. A., Ellis, L., & Weiland, T. (2021). Making Word Problems Meaningful. Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12, 114(8), 580-590. National Governors Association. (2010). Common core state standards. Washington, DC.

Powell, S. R., & Fuchs, L. S. (2018). Effective word-problem instruction: Using schemas to facilitate mathematical reasoning. Teaching Exceptional Children, 51(1), 31–42.

Powell, S. R., Namkung, J. M., & Lin, X. (2022). An investigation of using keywords to solve word problems. The Elementary School Journal, 122(3), 452-4.

U.S. Department of Education. Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2022 Mathematics Assessment.

Van de Walle, J. A., Karp, K. S., & Bay-Williams, J. M. (2022). Elementary and middle school mathematics: Teaching developmentally. Pearson. One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Vardeh, M. (2020). Informing the Need for Critical Thinking in Mathematics. Unpublished manuscript. Department of Mathematics, California State University, Turlock, CA.

Subscribe for Updates

Get the latest posts, and stay up to date with the latest strategies to keep kids reading at a higher level.

WELCOME!     Find what you need

Elementary Math

Elementary Ela-Reading

Teaching Tips

Career Exploration

How to teach math word problems – cubes math strategy.

Discover the power of the CUBES math strategy for understanding word problems! This step-by-step approach will boost comprehension and problem-solving skills and help students really understand story problems.

Are your students struggling to tackle word problems? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Word problems can be overwhelming, especially for struggling students. But no worries, the CUBES math strategy is here to save the day!

Math Word Problems

Word problems are a staple in math lessons for a reason – they reflect real-life situations. Sure, some problems may seem a bit ridiculous (like buying 60 watermelons – big eye roll here), but others offer valuable and meaningful learning opportunities.

The challenge lies in the variety and complexity of word problems. Upper elementary students run into super challenging multi-step problems that can leave them scratching their heads.

As a teacher, it’s essential to differentiate your instruction to meet the needs of all learners.

That’s where the CUBES math strategy comes in. By using this strategy, you can provide struggling students with a concrete step-by-step process to approach word problems. Say goodbye to frustration and hello to success!

Plus, this method slows students down and focuses their attention on one aspect of the problem at a time .

Many students rush through their work without really taking the time to read the problems and digest the meaning. The CUBES strategy helps students pause, reflect, and truly engage with the problem , leading to a deeper understanding and focus.

Incorporating the CUBES math strategy is easy.

Start by presenting the lesson to the whole class, but keep a close eye on your strugglers. Pull them into a small group to give them the extra support they need before they become overwhelmed by the assignment.

The greater the struggle, the smaller the group – at least, that’s the rule I try  to follow.

CUBES Math Word Problem Strategy

Step 1:  Read the problem out loud.

Read the problem aloud. Then reread it, emphasizing comprehension.

Students need to read or hear the problem multiple times before they even pick up a pencil to start. They need to visualize – what’s happening in the problem?

Here’s the clincher – don’t let them off the hook!   Make them state out loud what they understand from the problem.

Keep in mind that sometimes students can’t explain the problem because they genuinely don’t understand what is happening.

My low readers often don’t digest the information as they read.

Word problems call on many skills: comprehension, sorting out needed and unneeded information, deciding on the operation, etc.

It’s hard for students to organize their thoughts at this point – but that’s exactly what we need them to do. And that’s precisely why they must read and reread the problem until they understand what’s happening.

I constantly tell my students that I, personally, have to read word problems several times before I understand them. My strugglers often don’t even want to read the problem once.

Break the problem down sentence by sentence if needed.

Allow think time so they can fully understand the problem and the steps.

* Unfortunately, that’s the problem for us as teachers. All the reading and discussion takes time – very valuable time.  It also takes practice and patience. 

I often adjust or differentiate assignments by giving my struggling crew fewer problems to complete.

Focus on a few problems done correctly rather than several incorrect ones rushed through.

Step 2:  Circle the numbers AND LABELS!

Moving on to step two, I’ve learned that labels play a crucial role in comprehension. For that reason, I instruct my students to circle the numbers AND the labels at the same time . That saves time at the end when they need to label their answer.

Step 3:  Underline the question

Step three is all about underlining the question and making sure students truly understand it. Challenge them to rephrase the question in their own words. This step is vital for selecting the correct operation and solving the problem effectively.

You may need to backtrack and reread the problem again, emphasizing the question.

That’s when we have the part versus the whole discussion. What information are we given?  Do we have part of something, or is it a whole/total amount?

If a student truly doesn’t know what he’s looking for, they can’t choose the correct operation needed to solve the problem. A discussion needs to continue for understanding.

Step 4:  Box the keywords

Be careful with keywords in word problems – they can be tricky! Some keywords have multiple meanings and can represent different operations. To solve the problem correctly, students must understand the context.

It’s normal for students to ask for hints and clues when identifying the necessary operation(s). However, it’s important to let them struggle a bit to boost perseverance and critical thinking skills.

Step 5:  Eliminate unnecessary information

This step requires practice because students often struggle with eliminating unnecessary information. I ask students to draw one line through the information so they can still read what they crossed out. Otherwise, students may cross out needed information and then erase so hard they tear the paper.

Some students eliminate too much, while others think everything is necessary. This step takes time and really tests their comprehension and critical thinking skills.

Step 6:  Draw a picture

Drawing a picture or representing the problem with a table, array, or tally marks helps students visualize the problem. Concrete manipulatives are also helpful and should be available to students who need to hold or manipulate items.

Quick sketches or other visual aids like tables, arrays, or tally marks are good enough. Remind them not to get too caught up in drawing a masterpiece and lose focus.

Step 7:  Determine if the problem is multi-step

Students can feel confused when encountering multi-step problems. Numbering the steps by writing a 1, 2, 3, etc., near the first step of the problem helps them stay organized.

You may also have to encourage students to keep working through the problem. Often students complete only one step and expect to be finished.

It’s essential to emphasize that as they progress, their problems become more challenging, and they’ll have more than one step.

Step 8: Solve

Finally, students must do the actual calculations to solve the problem.

It’s a lot to hand, but you can read and learn more below.

Want to learn more about CUBES Math Word Problem Strategy?

Click HERE to read another blog post about CUBES and CUBED posters and resources.

The more you explore, the more beneficial it will be!

Interested in additional CUBES Math Word Problem Strategy resources? Visit our Teachers Pay Teachers store for more options.

Maybe much of this is a simple review for you, but I hope that maybe there was even one little idea that got you thinking a bit more deeply about word problems in your own classroom.  

**There are other strategies and sets out there similar to these posters. Still, I love the CUBED (with the letter “D”) strategy best because of the emphasis on Common Core to have students represent math problems with pictures or drawings (Drawings = D in the CUBED strategy).

Discover how effective graph paper for addition and subtraction practice can be.

This proven method ensures students’ work remains neat and organized, leading to improved accuracy. These sets are a win-win for both students and educators!

Hi, I’m Jules

Find it fast, browse the blog, visit my teachers pay teachers shop.

Teach Starter, part of Tes Teach Starter, part of Tes

Search  everything  in all resources

CUBES Classroom Display and Bookmark Set

Updated:  06 Jun 2023

Tackle word problems with this CUBES problem-solving classroom display and bookmark set.

Editable:  Google Slides

Non-Editable:  PDF

Pages:  1 Page

• Curriculum Curriculum:  AUS V8, AUS V9

Years:  3 - 6

• Adobe Reader (pdf) Sign up to Plus
• Google Slides Sign up to Plus

Get inspired!

Tag #TeachStarter on Instagram for a chance to be featured!

CUBES Problem-Solving Strategy Set 

Are your students struggling to tackle word problems? Are they getting confused about what steps are necessary to take? A good problem-solving strategy is essential for students to master tricky word problems. While this may come naturally for some students, others may benefit from the handy acronym CUBES! So what does CUBES stand for exactly?

• Circle the numbers
• Underline the question
• Box in the key words
• Eliminate unnecessary information
• Solve and show your work.

How to Make the Most of Your CUBES Problem-Solving Set

• Print the posters and display them in your classroom for students to reference when doing independent work.
• Print the bookmarks and place them in your maths stations as a reminder for students.
• Print the bookmarks and distribute them to students to keep at their desks. Invite students to pull out their bookmarks when working on maths word problems.

We’ve also come up with bonus ways to turn posters into interactive tools that really make your lessons stick!

📝  Create a fill-in-the-blank worksheet  by removing selections of text.

📂  Place copies in students’ homework folders  for reference.

💻  Provide posters as digital resources  for virtual students.

🧠  Test students’ memories  by showing them the poster, then hiding it and having them tell you what they remember.

✅ Incorporate posters into your lesson wrap-up:  students write on a sticky note what they learned from the lesson and place it on the poster.

Before You Download

Please use the dropdown menu to choose between the colour PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource.

Teach Starter Publishing

We create premium quality, downloadable teaching resources for primary/elementary school teachers that make classrooms buzz!

Write a review to help other teachers and parents like yourself. If you'd like to request a change to this resource, or report an error, select the corresponding tab above.

Suggest a Change

Would you like something changed or customised on this resource? While our team makes every effort to complete change suggestions, we can't guarantee that every change will be completed.

Report an Error

Did you spot an error on this resource? Please let us know and we will fix it shortly.

Are you having trouble downloading or viewing this resource? Please try the following steps:

• Check that you are logged in to your account
• For premium resources, check that you have a paid subscription
• Check that you have installed Adobe Reader ( download here )

If you are still having difficulty, please visit the Teach Starter Help Desk or contact us .

You may also like

• Classroom Routines →
• Whole Number Operations →
• Word Problems →
• Back to School 2024 →
• Printable Bookmark Templates →
• Classroom Bulletin Boards →
• Classroom Posters →
• Templates →
• Google Slide →

Monster-Themed Corner Bookmark Craft Template

Teach students how to create a corner bookmark with this funny monster-themed printable PDF template.

'Choose It' – Book Selection Bookmarks

Help students make choices about which books to read with this handy bookmark.

Common Digraphs and Blends Bookmarks

These bookmarks are designed to help students remember some of the most common blends and digraphs while reading.

Reciprocal Teaching Role Bookmarks

A set of 4 colourful bookmarks explaining reciprocal teaching roles.

Bookmark - You Are You!

A beautiful bookmark with affirmations for your students.

Editing Bookmarks

A clear and colourful editing checklist for students to refer to when proofreading their writing.

Grammar Bookmarks - Lower Grades

A quick reference grammar guide for students on a beautifully-designed bookmark.

Grammar Bookmarks - Upper Grades

Punctuation Bookmarks - Lower Grades

A quick reference punctuation guide for students on a beautifully-designed bookmark.

Punctuation Bookmarks - Upper Grades

Solving Word Problems – Strategy Posters for Kids

Problem solving is a huge component of Common Core math . Solving word problems with multiple parts is also key. Here are 8 free strategy posters for kindergarten students to help them choose which materials to use in problem solving.

Featured from Teaching Idea Tuesday

Problem solving strategy posters for kids.

Problem solving strategy posters are a great way to keep as an anchor chart or reference around the classroom. Students can use them when looking for a way to solve a math problem or word problem. There are 8 included in this free download: fingers, unifix cubes, tallies, pictures, number line, ten frames, counters and number bonds. They will also come in handy when you’re discussing materials or strategies that students have tried when going over work together. Don’t just teach the strategies – let them come up with some for themselves!

CONTINUE READING ON THE BLOG

|  submit your tip  |, have you seen.

• 16 Spring and Easter Math Ideas {Free Download}
• 40 Roll and Cover “Bump” Cool Math Games
• How to Make Math Journals Interactive

Teach Junkie

Leslie {aka the original Teach Junkie} loves learning new things to make teaching easier and more effective. She enjoys featuring creative classroom fun when she's not designing teacher shirts, making kindergarten lesson plans or planning her family's next trip to Disney World.

CUBES Word Problem Solving Strategy Posters

Description

Word Problems can often cause their own problems during Math time. These posters were designed using the C.U.B.E.S problem solving strategy. I have found this to be very beneficial for my own class as it gives step by step instructions on how to solve a Math problem.

The acronym C.U.B.E.S. stands for:

-Circle key numbers

-Underline the questions

-Box action words

-Eliminate unnecessary words/ Evaluate. (What steps do I take?)

-Solve and Check

This pack includes:-

Cubes poster Cover

Cubes overall strategy poster

individual letter posters x5

Individual letter posters + examples x5

Children’s copy of poster

Activity Printable to use with any problem solving activity.

How to Get TPT credit to use on future purchases:

• Please go to your My Purchases page (you may need to login). Beside each purchase you'll see a Provide Feedback button. Simply click it and you will be taken to a page where you can give a quick rating and leave a short comment for the product. Each time you give feedback, TPT gives you feedback credits that you use to lower the cost of your future purchases. I value your feedback greatly as it helps me determine which products are most valuable for your classroom so I can create more for you. ☺

Be the first to know about my new discounts, freebies and product launches: •

Look for the green star next to my store logo and click it to become a follower Voila! You will now receive email updates about this store. ☺

Questions & Answers

Apples of gold.

• We're hiring
• Help & FAQ
• Privacy policy
• Student privacy
• Terms of service
• Tell us what you think