Modelling with Number: Solving Real-World Problems

Explicit teaching — I Do (~15 min)

The modelling process WA6MNAM1

1. Analyse — what is the situation asking? What information matters?
2. Represent — choose operations or equations to model it.
3. Solve — carry out the calculations.
4. Interpret & communicate — what does the answer mean in context? Is it reasonable? Justify decisions.

Guided practice — We Do (~20 min)

1. Shared problem. "A school excursion costs $480 for 30 students. Each has paid $14 so far — how much more is needed in total?" Work through the four stages together on the planning sheet.
2. Order-of-operations problem. Model a multi-step word problem requiring brackets; emphasise representing it as a single expression.
3. Critique. Show a fully worked solution with no interpretation step; the class adds the missing "what does it mean?" sentence.

Independent practice — You Do (~15 min)

Students choose one of three real-world problem cards (whole numbers, order of operations, same-denominator fractions) and complete the full modelling cycle on a planning sheet:

• analyse and underline the key information;
• represent with an equation or expression;
• solve;
• write one or two sentences interpreting the answer and justifying decisions.