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.
- Plus Plan
3-Act Maths Tasks - Time Word Problems
Practise problem-solving skills and time conversions with a printable pack of 3 Act Maths Task worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Converting Time Word Problems Worksheet
Develop problem solving skills set of printable multi-step time conversion worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Telling Time - Story Problem Comprehension Worksheets
Practise reading comprehension and telling time skills with a printable pack of Telling Time Maths Story Worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Halloween Themed Division Word Problems - Task Cards
Use various strategies to solve division word problems with a set of Halloween Task Cards.
- Plus Plan
Even and Odd Numbers Task Cards - Word Problems
Identify odd and even numbers within word problems with a set of task cards.
- Plus Plan
Using Tape Diagrams to Find the Whole From a Percentage – Worksheet
Calculate the whole from a percentage using tape diagrams with this worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Find the Whole From a Percentage Worksheet
Practise how to find the whole from a percentage with this standard-practice worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Algebraic Expressions – Task Cards
Read, write and solve algebraic expressions with this set of 24 task cards.
- Plus Plan
Counting On – Word Problems
Extend students with this counting on word problem worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Save Santa's Workshop – Whole Class Escape Game
Solve clues to save Santa's Workshop with this fun and festive escape room game.
- Plus Plan
Addition Match-Up Puzzles
A set of 15 match-up cards to scaffold work with addition word problems.
- Plus Plan
Problem-Solving Display Banner
A classroom display banner to use on your 'Problem-Solving' display board.
- Plus Plan
Multiplication or Division? Working Cards
20 multiplication and division problem solving cards.
- Plus Plan
Maths Thinking Sentence Starter Posters
Forty-two posters with maths reflective sentence starters.
- Plus Plan
Daily Maths Word Problems - Year 2 (Worksheets)
A set of 20 problem-solving questions suited to Year 2 students.
- Plus Plan
Pandora's Party Palace Maths Activity – Lower Years
16 mathematics problem solving task cards involving money in a real-world context.
-
What Is a Bar Model? How to Use This Maths Problem-Solving Method in Your Classroom
The Bar Model is a popular strategy for mathematical problem solving, so how do you use it in your classroom, and should you?