Structures of Equality takes the best of bar models and CGI and adds in a few key elements to help students visualize what is happening in story problems.

Updated 8.13.2025 We recently looked at how keywords can cause confusion when students are given a problem with a comparison situation. Today, you’ll see two word problem strategies side by side: CUBES, a procedural method, and Structures of Equality (SoE), a framework for comprehension. Here are 3 ideas to consider while you look at the […]

Using keywords is a common strategy. While they seem like a helpful tip, they often add to the confusion.

Updated July 30, 2025 Comprehension of word problems is also one of the most baffling tasks for teachers and students. While we know the importance of helping students become proficient mathematicians who can “make sense of problems and persevere in solving them”, this is no easy feat. A Quick Refresher WIn the last couple weeks, […]

Updated July 30, 2025 I once heard a math teacher describe word problems as “the bane of her existence”. I completely “Word problems are the bane of my existence.” I once heard a math teacher describe math stories this way, and I completely get it. There are common challenges across many classrooms: students don’t know […]

Updated July 16, 2025 There are so many word problem strategies to choose from. It can be confusing to figure out which ones to use or not use, and how to teach so students understand them. When I was in the classroom, I came across tons of tips and tricks, but they seemed to confuse […]

Bar models are the foundation for SoE. Learn how they’re enhanced through the structures.

Take a peek at the data from 3 classrooms. They range from little/no use to consistent use of SoE>

(updated July 2024) There are 3 Structures of Equality (SoE). They each have 3 critical elements to help students comprehend number stories.

(updated July 2024) SoE are based on what works with bar models and CGI. With a few upgrades, you have a reading comprehension tool for math.

There are common strategies we’ve all been taught to use, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

In a recent survey, 164 out of 168 elementary teachers agreed that reading and comprehension are the main hurdles to students solving word problems.