The CUBES Method: A Friendly Way to Tackle Word Problems
If you’ve ever watched students struggle with math word problems, you’ll know it’s not always the math that confuses them—it’s the words! Many children get stuck trying to figure out what the problem is really asking. That’s where the CUBES method comes in. It’s a simple, easy-to-remember strategy that breaks word problems into clear steps so students don’t feel lost. Think of it as giving kids a little “map” to find their way through tricky problems. What Does CUBES Stand For? CUBES is an acronym teachers love because it’s short, visual, and fun. Each letter reminds students what to do: C → Circle the numbers U → Underline the question B → Box the keywords E → Evaluate and Eliminate S → Solve and Check It’s almost like a secret code students can use to unlock the answer. Let’s Walk Through the Steps 1. Circle the Numbers First, students circle all the numbers in the problem so they don’t miss any important detail. Example: Sarah has 12 apples. She gives 5 to...