Use Objects

Visualizing what the question is asking you can be a helpful strategy to solving a problem.  Using objects such as blocks or shapes can be a good items to represent pieces of the problem.

Example: Ms. Oliver asked her 5th grade class to be seated so they could begin class.  April sat to the right of Michael.  Breton was between April and Sophie.  Alex was seated beside Breton and in front of Kerri.  How were the students arranged in the classroom?