UNRA(A)VELUNRA(A)VELReading and MathReading and Math

UNRA(A)VELUNRA(A)VELReading and MathReading and Math

Pullen Elementary Pullen Elementary Courtenay BridgesCourtenay Bridges

44thth Grade Grade

Reading UNRA(A)VEL• Helps learners

break down long reading passages to make them much easier to understand.

The steps of UNRA(A)VEL

• Underline the title.• Now predict the passage.• Run through & number the paragraphs.• Are you reading the questions?• Are the important words circled?• Venture through the passage.• Eliminate incorrect answers.• Let the questions be answered.

Underline the Title

• Most readers skip over the title.• Helps you prepare for what you

are about to read.• Allows you to begin making

connections.

Now Predict the Passage

• Helps you to begin connecting the passage with what you already know.

• Helps guide your reading and keeps you focused as you test your prediction.

Run through & number paragraphs

• When you locate answers, you can write the paragraph next to the question quickly.

• It helps you organize the text on the paper and in your head.

Are you reading the questions?

• Helps you focus on the important information.

• Saves you time so you don’t have to hunt for answers.

• Use the numbered paragraphs to help locate answers quickly.

Are the important words circled?

• Circling important words helps you locate the important information quickly.

• Circling important words also helps you stay focused on the reading.

Venture through the passage

• This is the fun part of reading. Enjoy the passage.

• It might help if you write connections in the margins to keep you focused on the text.

Eliminate incorrect answers

• Eliminating incorrect answers makes it easier to locate the correct answer.

• Eliminating incorrect answers allows you to have less choices in case you are unsure of the correct answer.

Let the questions be answered

• Using all of the previous steps, answering the questions should be a piece of cake.

• You should always double check that you answered each question.

How did you do?

• 1. D• 2. C• 3. C• 4. A

UNRAAVEL IT!

• Although this seems like it will take FOREVER and take too much of your testing time, it will do the complete opposite.

• The more you practice it, the quicker it will become and the better you test results will be.

UNRAAVEL a Math UNRAAVEL a Math ProblemProblem

UNRAAVEL a Math UNRAAVEL a Math ProblemProblem

Bolton-Edwards Math Geniuses!Bolton-Edwards Math Geniuses!and their Genius Teachers!and their Genius Teachers!

Montague (1997) found few students enjoy problem solving for reasons ranging from academic and social behaviors, motivational levels and self-perception.

Larry Bell’s Math UNRA(A)VEL

For more than 13 years, this logical, concrete and sequential method has helped thousands of struggling learners successfully solve math word problems.

MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them

The aim is to get students to KNOW math and not just DO math. – Marilyn Burns (2013)

We can not use UNRA(A)VEL as an algorithm for success. UNRAAVEL must be explicitly taught, practiced and even assessed with a conceptual understanding of each of the steps. UNRA(A)VEL helps students

make their thinking visible.-Dr. Cathy

Cavanaugh

UNRAAVEL Math• U- underline the question• N- now predict what you need to solve it• R- read the word problem• A- are the important words circled• A- apply the steps you chose to solve it• V- verify your answer (does it make sense)• E- eliminate wrong answers• L- let the answer stay or rework it

U = Underline the question

• Find the question and Find the question and UnderlineUnderline it! The it! The

question is the PROBLEM.question is the PROBLEM.

Sid has $50.00. He bought two video games that cost $14.00 each. He also bought a poster for $5.69. How much money did he have left after his purchases?

Tip: Have students to Tip: Have students to rephrase the question in their rephrase the question in their own words. So what?own words. So what?

Albert Einstein wrote that he was asked if he had one hour to save the world what would he do?

“I would spend 55 minutes finding the problem and 5 finding a

solution.” -Amazing Secrets to Problem

Solving

N = Now Predict What information do you think

you need to solve the question/problem (numbers, pictures, bar modeling)?

What operations/methods do you think you will you need to

solve the problem?

R = Read each line of the Word Problem

Locate the important information in the text.

(consider the predictions)

UNRA(A)VEL(These two steps generally work together)

A = Are the Important Words/Numbers and their meanings Circled? (especially the operational words?)

•Sid has $50.00. He bought Sid has $50.00. He bought two video games that cost two video games that cost

$14.00 each. He also bought $14.00 each. He also bought a poster for $5.69. a poster for $5.69. How much How much money did he have left after money did he have left after

his purchases?his purchases?

CAUTION!!!

Mitchell (2013) and NCTM agree that using key operational words should not take priority over making sense of a problem, but instead treated as potential clues to solving the problem (i.e. brought, each).

A = Apply the Steps You Chose to Solve the Problem

•$14.00 •X 2

$28.00

$28.00+ 5.69

$33.69

Video Games

Video Games Plus Poster

Total Amount Spent

V = Verify Your Answer. (Is it reasonable? Does it make sense? Revisit the

question. What information is being used to support the response?)

$16.31 is reasonable because it is smaller

than $50.00. It would make sense to have this amount left after buying

games and a poster.

$16.31 is reasonable because it is smaller

than $50.00. It would make sense to have this amount left after buying

games and a poster.

E = Eliminate Wrong Answers.

•a. $66.31•b. $15.00•c. $55.76•d. $16.31

Too big. Conceptual

Too big. Conceptual

Procedural

Caution students against eliminating answer choices hastily. Sometimes they eliminate the right answer. Remind them at times they may have to revise their thinking based on the text.

L = Let the Answer Stay or Rework the Problem

I got that one correct, but I may have to rework the next one!

1. Check the calculations

2. Reread the question and

revise the steps

How far are YOU willing to go to see your student soar?

▶ UNRAAVEL - YouTube [720p].mp4▶ Rainbow Unraavel - YouTube [720p].mp4

Inspire someone today, change the world…

-Shelita

Teach with purpose.