SPOT for Word Problems

Pupils can struggle when it comes to word problems.

SPOT encourages them to first write a sentence containing a blank for the answer which then has to be revisited at the end to ensure that the actual question asked has been answered.

They are then encouraged to create a picture or image using visuals such as a bar model, manipulatives, or even themselves if appropriate. They then work out the operations needed using this image and then that need to test if this is sensible when they fill in the answer in the original sentence.