I am currently using the C.U.B.E.S strategy to help students work through a number of word problems in Mathematics. It is a particularly useful tool as it enables children to work systematically through a structured process and helps them to better understand and solve the mathematical problem.
It has been particularly helpful for those students who find comprehension difficult and/or deciphering mathematical problems overwhelming. C.U.B.E.S takes the stress and “guess work” out of solving the problem and promotes systematic and thorough problem solving techniques.
The teacher can also track the progress of students at each stage of the C.U.B.E.S process by simply viewing the action of each letter. For example, if the child has not B-boxed any words or the appropriate words, then you know the student may not understand this step. Teaching can then be targeted to provide additional support in these areas of uncertainty.
It has been particularly helpful for those students who find comprehension difficult and/or deciphering mathematical problems overwhelming. C.U.B.E.S takes the stress and “guess work” out of solving the problem and promotes systematic and thorough problem solving techniques.
The teacher can also track the progress of students at each stage of the C.U.B.E.S process by simply viewing the action of each letter. For example, if the child has not B-boxed any words or the appropriate words, then you know the student may not understand this step. Teaching can then be targeted to provide additional support in these areas of uncertainty.