The I.C.E. Method
How-To Answering Extended-Constructed Response (ECR)
Questions
The following are steps that should be followed when solving ExtendedConstructed Response (ECR) questions.
I – ILLUSTRATE (Use one of the following to illustrate the problem)
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Draw a picture
Create a table
Show a pattern
Show on a number line
Work backwards
Create a graph (bar graph,
histogram, pie graph, line
graph, or pictograph)
 Use a formula
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Make the problem simpler
Guess and check
Mnemonic devices (PEMDAS)
Order of operations (step by
step)
 Changing words into numbers
and symbols
 Rewrite the important
information from the problem
C – CALCULATE
 Plug numbers into a formula, number sentence, or equation and solve
 Show your work
 Show your problem
E – EXPLAIN
 Restate the question
 Explain the steps you used in either a list or paragraph form
 Your explanation should match the calculate part (equation) and the
illustration.
Example:
 Restate the question and give your answer
 List step by step how you solved your problem
1st I did…
2nd…
3rd…
If you get stuck and can’t answer the question –
write down what you know/think about the problem and what confused you.