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.
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Solving Math Word Problems Strategy Mats
Help your students solve math word problems with this set of strategy mats.
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Division with Models Worksheet
Complete 8 division word problems by representing dividends as numbers, pictures, and number sentences.
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Valentine Bingo - 2-Digit Addition and Subtraction Game
Add and subtract two-digit numbers to win this fun Valentine’s Bingo Game!
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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.
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Money Task Cards - Multi-Step Word Problems
Practice solving money word problems with a printable set of multi-step word problem task cards.
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Math Word Problem Match-Up Game - Basic Multiplication and Division
Practice reading, writing, and solving basic multiplication and division word problems with a matching activity.
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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.
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Same Perimeter, Different Area Word Problems – Worksheet
Practice solving multi-step word problems involving objects that have the same perimeter but different areas.
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Area and Perimeter Word Problems
Get students to solve area and perimeter word problems with this set of three worksheets for 3rd and 4th grade.
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Open-ended Math Problem Solving Cards – Grades 2-4
A set of 20 open-ended problem solving cards covering a range of mathematical concepts.
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Problem Solving Worksheet - Money
A problem solving worksheet involving money.
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Length Word Problems - 2nd Grade Math Worksheet
Help your students relate addition and subtraction with length using a printable Measurement Word Problem Worksheet for 2nd grade.
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Perimeter Practice Problems With Visuals – Worksheet
Download these perimeter practice problems to use when exploring measurement concepts in your math lessons.
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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.
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Soccer Stories - Problem Solving Worksheets
Practice multiplication, division, and problem solving skills with a high-interest soccer-themed scenario activity.
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Roll to Create a Strip Diagram
A roll to create template for students to use when learning to use strip diagrams.
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Math Problem Solving Brainteasers – 4th and 5th Grade
A set of 10 fun problem solving brainteasers for your students.
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Multiplication or Division? Problem Solving Cards
20 multiplication and division problem solving cards.
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Daily Math Problems - Grades 2-3
A 44-slide PowerPoint that includes 20 one and two-step word problems.
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Math Keywords for Problem Solving
Help your students decipher math word problems with a set of printable math keyword anchor charts.
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Addition and Subtraction Work Mat
Practice addition and subtraction concepts daily with a printable work mat for students.
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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.
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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.
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Perimeter Word Problems Worksheet
Get students solving real-life perimeter word problems with a printable worksheet for 3rd and 4th grade.
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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.
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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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Word Problem Task Cards: Addition and Subtraction Within 10
Practice addition and subtraction within 10 with this set of 18 word problem task cards.
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Multiplication Word Problems Template
A template to use as a scaffold to help students create multiplication word problems.
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Daily Math Word Problems - Grade 6 (Worksheets)
A set of 20 problem-solving questions suited to grade 6 students.
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Pandora's Party Palace Math Activity - Middle Years Version
16 mathematics problem solving task cards involving money in a real-world context.
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Daily Math Word Problems - Grade 5 (Worksheets)
A set of 20 problem solving questions suited to grade 5 students.
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Math Thinking Sentence Starter Posters
Forty-two posters with math reflective sentence starters.