Word Problems Teaching Resources
Browse maths word problems and word problem worksheets created by teachers for Australian teachers like you! This vast collection covers all four maths operations with problem-solving tasks that allow students to apply their maths skills to real-world problems!
From worksheets to task cards, this collection is full of Australian maths curriculum-aligned resources, ready for your classroom, your lesson plans and your students!
Curious about using word problems in your classroom? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a kid-friendly definition of the concept and tips to ensure your students succeed with word problems!
What Is a Word Problem? A Kid-Friendly Definition
No doubt you know the answer to this question, but would you know how to answer if a student asked? Here's a handy definition that you can use!
A word problem is a kind of maths problem that is presented in words instead of just numbers. Word problems require us to use our maths skills to solve real-life scenarios or situations.
A word problem usually includes a question or a scenario that needs to be solved using one of the four maths operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.
How to Help Students Succeed With Word Problems
Word problems are a fantastic tool to help students build their problem-solving skills. So how do you set them up for success?
Our teacher team has a few tricks up our sleeve to ensure your students are able to translate their maths skills into real-world problem-solving situations.
1. Teach Key Word Problem Vocabulary
Word problems are full of, well, words that serve as cues for students to help them know which operations to apply. Make sure to explicitly teach students the words so they know the appropriate actions.
For example, if a student sees the term 'take away' in a word problem, they should know that subtraction is involved. Here are just a few other key word problem vocabulary terms:
- How much
- Increased by
- How much longer
- Lost
- Remain
- Reduce
You may want to create anchor charts as a class with some of these keywords so students have a handy reference.
2. Hand Out Highlighter Pens
Teach students to work through a word problem and highlight or underline the important information (such as what is being asked for), while they cross out redundant information and other bits that are not necessary.
This can help them focus on the key points that matter.
3. Teach the CUBES Strategy
This handy strategy is a favourite amongst our teacher team (you'll even find CUBES resources on our site!). CUBES stands for:
- Circle all the numbers
- Underline the question
- Box the key words
- Evaluate and write the equation
- Solve & check
4. Practise Creating Word Problems As a Class
Before you hand already crafted word problems to your students to solve, why not work together as a class to create some?
Take regular addition or subtraction problems from the many worksheets on Teach Starter, and turn them into word problems together so students can reverse engineer the process. Students can also draw a picture to illustrate the problem.
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Save Santa's Workshop – Whole Class Escape Game
Solve clues to save Santa's Workshop with this fun and festive escape room game.
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The Escape From Millbrook Manor – Whole Class Escape Game
Practise computation skills by solving puzzles with this differentiated Halloween escape room game.
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Multi-Step Addition and Subtraction Word Problem Cards – Middle Primary
Solve multi-step addition and subtraction word problems with a set of printable maths task cards.
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Pandora's Party Palace Maths Activity – Middle Years
16 mathematics problem solving task cards involving money in a real-world context.
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Maths Brain Teasers - Upper Primary
A set of 10 fun brain teasers for your students.
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Daily Maths Word Problems - Year 5
A set of 20 problem solving questions suited to year 5 students.
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Interactive Maths Review – Activities for Years 5, 6 and 7
Review important maths concepts covered in years 5, 6 and 7 with a student-led interactive activity.
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Daily Maths Word Problems - Year 4 (Worksheets)
A set of 20 problem-solving questions suited to year 4 students.
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Multiplication and Division Word Problems Task Cards (Facts of 2, 5 and 10)
Use a range of strategies to solve multiplication and division problems with 2, 5 and 10 times tables.
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Maths Word Problem Cards (Division and Multiplication) - Upper Primary
Twenty division and multiplication word problem cards for upper primary.
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Daily Maths Word Problems – Year 3
A set of 20 problem solving questions suited to year 3 students.
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Multiplication and Division Word Problems Task Cards (2-Digit by 1-Digit)
Use a range of strategies to solve 2-digit by 1-digit multiplication and division problems that exceed the facts of the 12 times tables.
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Open-Ended Maths Problem Solving Cards - Upper Primary
A set of 20 open-ended problem solving cards covering a range of mathematical concepts.
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Pandora's Party Palace Maths Activity – Lower Years
16 mathematics problem solving task cards involving money in a real-world context.
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Money Task Cards - Australian Currency
A set of 12 task cards relating to simple financial transactions.
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Data Maths Investigation – Line Up the Coins
A mathematics investigation about data, embedded in a real-world context.
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Class Carnival – Probability STEM Challenges
A set of four carnival-themed STEM challenges where students create fun games that incorporate probability.
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Daily Maths Word Problems - Year 2 (Worksheets)
A set of 20 problem-solving questions suited to Year 2 students.
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Soccer-Themed Maths Problem Solving Worksheets
Practise multiplication, division and problem solving skills with a high-interest soccer-themed scenario activity.
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Daily Maths Word Problems - Year 6 (Worksheets)
A set of 20 problem-solving questions suited to year 6 students.
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Multiplication and Division Word Problems Task Cards (Facts of 1-12)
Use a range of strategies to solve multiplication and division problems for times tables facts 1-12.
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Addition and Subtraction Word Problem Task Cards (Numbers 1-50)
Use a range of addition and subtraction strategies to solve twenty word problems that contain numbers 1–50.
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Word Problem Worksheet - Money
Money word problem worksheet with answers.
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Pandora's Party Palace Maths Activity – Upper Years
Sixteen mathematics problem-solving task cards involving money in a real-world context.
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Converting Time Word Problems Worksheet
A set of 12 problem-solving questions on converting units of time.
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Addition and Subtraction Word Problem Task Cards (Numbers 10-50)
Use a range of addition and subtraction strategies to solve twenty word problems that contain numbers 10–50.
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Daily Maths Problems – Year 5
A 44 slide editable PowerPoint Template for problem solving in mathematics.
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Open-ended Maths Problem Solving Cards - Middle Primary
A set of 20 open-ended problem solving cards covering a range of mathematical concepts.
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Word Problem Worksheets - Year 5 and Year 6
4 mixed operations word problem worksheets with answers.
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Daily Maths Problems - Year 6
A 44 slide editable PowerPoint Template for problem solving in mathematics.
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Open-Ended Maths Problem Solving PowerPoint - Lower Primary
A PowerPoint with 20 open-ended problem solving questions covering a range of mathematical concepts.
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Multiplication and Division Interactive PowerPoint
An engaging 64 slide interactive PowerPoint to use when learning about multiplication and division.