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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Mixed Operations - Length Word Problems Worksheets
Solve multi-step length word problems with a printable pack of 3-act Maths Word Problem Worksheets.
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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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Word Problem Worksheet - Money
Money word problem worksheet with answers.
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Year 1 Addition and Subtraction Word Problems Escape Room
Engage students with this addition and subtraction interactive escape room.
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Bar Model Poster Pack
Help your students solve problems using the four operations with a pack of printable strip diagram anchor charts.
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Daily Maths Problems - Year 6
A 44 slide editable PowerPoint Template for problem solving in mathematics.
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Pandora's Party Palace – Money Word Problems – Lower Years
Introduce money word problems through engaging, real‑world scenarios.
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Mixed Addition and Subtraction Word Problems Escape Room
Search for a lost treasure in our mixed addition and subtraction word problems escape room that will give your students varied practice adding and subtracting one and two-digit numbers.
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10 Problem Solving Strategies Posters
Boost problem solving skills and remind your students to use their strategies with our Word Problem Solving Strategy Posters.
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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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Multiplication or Division? Working Cards
20 multiplication and division problem solving cards.
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Counting On and Counting Back Worksheets
Extend students understanding of addition and subtracting with these counting on and counting back worksheets.
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Visual Estimation Games - Estimating Collections Interactive Task Cards
Play visual estimation games like this estimating collections interactive activity to let your students hone their spatial awareness, estimation and mental maths skills.
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Maths Brain Teasers - Year 2 Word Problems
Challenge your year 2 students to solve these brain teasers with a set of 24 maths word problems.
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Part Part Whole Word Problem Task Cards and Worksheet
Explore these animal-themed part-part-whole word problems that will open discussions with your young mathematicians.
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Find the Whole From a Percentage Worksheet
Practise how to find the whole from a percentage with this standard-practice worksheet.
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Addition and Subtraction Word Problem Task Cards (Numbers 1-9)
Use a range of addition and subtraction strategies to solve twenty single-digit word problems.
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Estimation Activity - Estimating Space Worksheet Set
Use estimation activities like this estimating space worksheet set to give your students practice estimating, converting measurements and problem solving.
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Converting Time Word Problems Worksheet
Develop problem solving skills set of printable multi-step time conversion worksheets.
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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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Money Word Problems Addition and Subtraction Board Game
Download this money word problems addition and subtraction board game for a fun way to practise double-digit operations using real-world scenarios.
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Addition and Subtraction Word Problems - Match Game
Practise reading, modelling, and solving addition and subtraction word problems with a matching activity.
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Word Problem Worksheet - Number
Number word problem worksheet with answers.
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Adding and Subtracting Word Problems Interactive Task Cards
Engage your students with this interactive adding and subtracting word problems activity that features a variety of problem types.
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Maths Problem Solving Strategy Mats
Help your students solve math word problems with this set of strategy mats.
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3-Act Maths Tasks - Time Word Problems
Practise problem-solving skills and time conversions with a printable pack of 3 Act Maths Task worksheets.
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Year 1 Addition and Subtraction Solving Mats
Use these Year 1 addition and subtraction solving mats to support students as they practise solving word problems.
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Basic Multiplication and Division Word Problems - Matching Game
Practice reading, writing, and solving basic multiplication and division word problems with a matching activity.
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Telling Time - Story Problem Comprehension Worksheets
Practise reading comprehension and telling time skills with a printable pack of Telling Time Maths Story Worksheets.
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Adding and Subtracting Within 10 - Word Problem Task Cards
Solve word problems practicing addition and subtraction to ten with a set of printable task cards.
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Basic Subtraction Word Problems - Worksheet
Solve subtraction word problems by drawing picture models with a printable subtraction worksheet.
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Using Tape Diagrams to Find the Whole From a Percentage – Worksheet
Calculate the whole from a percentage using tape diagrams with this worksheet.