Here is the 2-step word problem that Stephen had created by  using his own words and numbers to fill in the lines on the worksheet I gave him in class:

(line 1) “Mrs. Lampkin had 6 cats. 

(line 2)  Mr. Lampkin had 4 more cats than Mrs. Lampkin.

(line 3)  How many cats did they have in all?                         ”

Here are a few highlights as he explains each of the following steps on his paper:

Q1  In the video clip, Stephen begins by stating the question that he wrote. (Q1.  How many did Mr. Lampkin have?)  He identifies this as the hidden question.  He tells me that there has to be a question (Q1) to figure out how many there are (pointing to line 2 above) before you can answer it (pointing to  line 3 - the stated question).  “You don’t know that,” he states as he points again to line 2.   “So you need that hidden question (Q1).”

D1  Stephen shows his data, explains where he got the numbers 6 and 4, and tells why he wrote “more” after the 4.  Note that he labeled his data on the paper.  (6 Mrs., 4 more for Mr.)

P1  He reads his equation 6 + 4 = 10, then explains in  detail how he constructed his picture plan.

A1 He states his answer – 10.

√1  Stephen reads his sentence “Mr. Lampkin had 10.”

Q2  Stephen reads the question he has written, a revision of the stated question in line 3.  (How many did they have in all?)

D2 Stephen explains where the data came from – 6  Mrs. (from line 1), and 10 – Mr.  (from A1-the answer in part 1 of this word problem.)

P2 He reads his equation 6 + 10 = 16 and refers to his work and the picture plan beside P1, in the first part. 

A2  He reads his answer – 16.

√2  Stephen refers to the 16 which he wrote in the space at the end of line 3.  This number is the same as the number beside A2.