Word Problems Teaching Resources
Browse math word problems and word problem worksheets created by teachers for teachers like you! This vast collection covers all four math operations with problem-solving tasks that allow students to apply their math skills to real-world problems!
From worksheets to task cards, this collection is full of Common Core math 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 math 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 math 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 sleeves to ensure your students can 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 s
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 favorite among 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. Practice 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.
- Free Plan
Addition and Subtraction Problem Solving Task Cards
Practice solving 1- and 2-step word problems by adding and subtracting 2-digit numbers with this set of 16 task cards.
- Plus Plan
Same Perimeter, Different Area Word Problems – Worksheet
Practice solving multi-step word problems involving objects that have the same perimeter but different areas.
- Plus Plan
Multiplication Equal Groups Worksheets
Share these multiplication equal groups worksheets with your students to give them practice modeling and solving multiplication problems.
- Plus Plan
Multi-Step Addition and Subtraction Word Problem Task Cards
Solve multi-step addition and subtraction word problems with a set of printable math task cards.
- Plus Plan
Money Word Problems Addition and Subtraction Worksheet Set
Use our money word problems addition and subtraction worksheet set to give your students differentiated practice modeling a variety of one and two-digit word problems.
- Plus Plan
Multiplication and Division Word Problems Task Cards
Use a range of strategies to solve 2-digit by 1-digit multiplication and division word problems that exceed the facts of the 12 times tables.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
1 & 2-Step Story Problems With Multiplication and Division - Interactive Game
Practice solving one and two step story problems and have fun with our Multiplication and Division Word Problems Interactive Game.
- Plus Plan
Math Brain Teasers – Grade 2 Word Problems
Challenge your second-grade students to solve these brain teasers with a set of 24 math word problems.
- Plus Plan
Add and Subtract Integers on a Number Line - Interactive Picture Reveal
Practice solving addition and subtraction equations with positive and negative numbers using an interactive mystery picture reveal.
- Plus Plan
Writing Numerical Expressions – Digital and Printable Riddle Worksheets
Use these worksheets to match numerical expressions with different scenarios to reveal the answer to a math joke.
- Plus Plan
Problem Solving - Multiplication and Division Worksheet
Practice solving word problems using one-step division and multiplication.
- Plus Plan
Daily Math Problems - Grades 5-6
A 42-slide PowerPoint with 19 multi-step word problems.
- Plus Plan
Pandora's Party Palace Math Activity - Middle Years Version
16 mathematics problem solving task cards involving money in a real-world context.
- Plus Plan
Adding and Subtracting Money Word Problems Game
Download this adding and subtracting money word problems game for a fun way to practice double digit operations using real-world scenarios.
- Plus Plan
Strip Diagrams (Bar Model) Poster Pack
Help your students solve problems using the four operations with a pack of printable strip diagrams anchor charts.
- Plus Plan
Open-Ended Problem Solving Questions - Grade 1 and Grade 2
Use these 20 open-ended problem solving questions covering a range of mathematical concepts with your Grade 1 and Year 2 students.
- Free Plan
Solving Math Word Problems Strategy Mats
Help your students solve math word problems with this set of strategy mats.
- Plus Plan
Mixed Operations - Length Word Problems Worksheets
Solve multi-step length word problems with a printable pack of 3-act Math Word Problem Worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Perimeter Practice Problems With Visuals – Worksheet
Download these perimeter practice problems to use when exploring measurement concepts in your math lessons.
- Plus Plan
Addition and Subtraction Word Problems - Match Game
Practice reading, modeling, and solving addition and subtraction word problems with a matching activity.
- Plus Plan
Basic Subtraction Word Problems - Worksheet
Solve subtraction word problems by drawing picture models with a printable subtraction worksheet.
- Plus Plan
5th Grade Math Review – Test Prep Packet
Encourage your students to work through 8 pages of 5th-grade math problems while charting their progress to measure their success.
- Plus Plan
Valentine Bingo - 2-Digit Addition and Subtraction Game
Add and subtract two-digit numbers to win this fun Valentine’s Bingo Game!
- Plus Plan
Dividing Whole Numbers – Word Problem Worksheet
Sharpen problem solving skills by solving a variety of long division word problems with multi-digit divisors.
- Plus Plan
Long Division with Multi-Digit Divisors – Word Problem Task Cards
Use long division to solve a variety of word problems with this set of 24 task cards.
- Plus Plan
CUBES Bulletin Board and Bookmark Set
Tackle word problems with this CUBES problem-solving bulletin board and bookmark set.
- Plus Plan
Mixed Perimeter Word Problems Worksheet
Use this perimeter word problems worksheet to give your students practice calculating the perimeter of shapes.
- Plus Plan
Multiplication and Division Word Problem Task Cards (Facts 1-12)
Use a range of strategies to solve multiplication and division problems for times tables facts 1-12.
- Free Plan
Division with Models Worksheet
Complete 8 division word problems by representing dividends as numbers, pictures, and number sentences.
- Plus Plan
Multiplication Word Problems Template
A template to use as a scaffold to help students create multiplication word problems.
- Plus Plan
Daily Problem-Solving - Multi-Step Word Problems (2-3)
Boost your students’ problem-solving skills with rigorous daily review of multi-step word problems for 2nd and 3rd grade.