FROM THE DESK OF MS. DANCY!
by Trenese Dancy
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The RQWQCQ Strategy for Solving Math Word Problems
RQWQCQ is a good strategy to use when solving math word problems. Each of the letters in RQWQCQ stands for a step in the strategy.
Read
Read the entire problem to learn what it is about.
You may find it helpful to read the problem out loud, form a
picture of the problem in your mind, or draw a picture of the
problem.
Question
Find the question to be answered in the problem.
Often the question is directly stated. When it is not stated, you
will have to identify the question to be answered.
Write
Write the facts you need to answer the question.
It is helpful to cross out any facts presented in the problem that
are not needed to answer the question. Sometimes, all of facts
presented in the problem are needed to answer the
question.
Question
Ask yourself "What computations must I do to answer the
question?"
Compute
Set up the problem on paper and do the
computations. Check your computations for accuracy
and make any needed corrections. Once you have done this, circle
your answer.
Question
Look at your answer and ask yourself: "Is my answer
possible?" You may find that your answer is not possible
because it does not fit with the facts presented in the problem.
When this happens, go back through the steps of RQWQCQ until you
arrive at an answer that is possible.
Use RQWQCQ to help you correctly solve math word problems.
Taking Notes in
Class
In classes, your teachers will talk about topics that you are studying. The information they provide will be important for you to know when you take tests. You must be able to take good written notes from what your teachers say.
Taking good notes is a three-stage process in which there are certain things you should do before class, during class, and after class. Here are the three stages of notetaking and what you should do during each stage.
1. Get Ready to Take Notes (Before Class)
- Review your notes from the previous class session before you come to class. This will help you remember what was covered and get you ready to understand new information your teacher provides.
- Complete all assigned readings before you come to class. Your teacher will expect that you have done this and will use and build upon this information.
- Bring all notetaking materials with you to class. Have several pens and pencils as well as your notebook.
2. Take Notes (During Class)
- Keep your attention focused on what your teacher is saying. Listen for "signal statements" that tell you that what your teacher is about to say is important to write in your notes. Examples of signal statements are "The most important point..." and "Remember that..." Be sure to include in your notes information that your teacher repeats or writes on the chalkboard.
- Write quickly so that you can include all the important information in your notes. Do this by writing abbreviated words such as med for medicine, using symbols such as % for percent, and writing short sentences.
- Place a ? next to information you write in your notes, but about whose meaning you are not sure.
. Rewrite Your Notes (After Class)
- Rewrite your notes to make them more complete by changing abbreviated words into whole words, symbols into words, and shortened sentences into longer sentences.
- Make your notes more accurate by answering any questions you had when writing your notes in class. Use your textbook and reference sources to obtain the information you need to answer your questions. If necessary, ask your teacher or other students for help.
Check with other students to be sure you did not leave out important information.
Managing Your Study Time
There are only so many hours in a day, a week, and a term. You cannot change the number of hours, but you can decide how to best use them. To be successful in school, you must carefully manage your study time. Here is a strategy for doing this.
Prepare a Term Calendar
At the beginning of a term, prepare a Term Calendar. Update it as the term goes on. Here is what to do to prepare a Term Calendar.
- Record your school assignments with their due dates and your scheduled tests.Record your planned school activities.
- Record your planned school activities.
- Record your known out-of-school activities.
Prepare a Weekly Schedule
Each Sunday before a school week, prepare a Weekly Schedule. Update it as the week goes on. Here is what to do to prepare a Weekly Schedule.
- Record your daily classes.
- Enter things to be done for the coming week from your Term Calendar.
- Review your class notes from the previous week to see if you need to add any school activities.
- Add any out-of-school activities in which you will be involved during the week.
- Be sure to include times for completing assignments, working on projects, and studying for tests. These times may be during the school day, right after school, evenings, and weekends.
Prepare a Daily Organizer
Each evening before a school day, prepare a Daily Organizer for the next day. Place a √ next to each thing to do as you accomplish it. Here is what to do to prepare a Daily Organizer.
- Enter the things to do for the coming day from your Weekly Schedule.
- Enter the things that still need to be accomplished from your Daily Organizer from the previous day.
- Review your class notes for the day just completed to see if you need to add any school activities.
- Add any out-of-school activities in which you will be involved the next day.
Your Weekly Schedule should have more detail than your Term Calendar. Your Daily Organizer should have more detail than your Weekly Schedule. Using a Term Calendar, a Weekly Schedule, and a Daily Organizer will help you make the best use of your time.
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