Kids can only take generic 1+5 and 7–3 worksheets for so long until their eyes glaze over and they beg for the sweet release of recess.

But word problems are a practical way for your students to boost their number operations and problem-solving skills by applying them to real-world scenarios.

These word problem task cards let students practice building math problems, changing the abstract process of addition and subtraction into a visual activity.

How to Use this Addition and Subtraction Within 10 Resource with Your Students

Task cards are a helpful resource for students who are quick in picking up lessons, as well as for those who are lagging and need some extra practice. They can be set aside for students to be used as an enrichment activity.

Our addition and subtraction word problem task cards are best used in a math center or small group to practice word problems within 10 using objects (ex: bingo counters, craft pom-poms, cotton swabs) to determine the answer.

When used as a small group activity, present a problem to the students and ask them to explain the strategy they used to find the answer.

More Ways to Use Our Addition and Subtraction Within 10 Task Cards to Blend Math, Reading, and Play!  

Looking for more activities to get your students excited about math? Check out a few extra ideas we thought up for you:

Math Lesson Recap 

Using your smartboard or another projection device, present the cards to your students and work through the word problems together as a whole class, giving each student a set of 10 counting objects. When you get the answer as a group, write it on the spaces in the task cards for students to see.

Scoot Activity 

Place each of the 18 word problem task cards in stations around the room. Then assign students—alone or in pairs—to a station to start and give them a time frame (perhaps 2 to 3 minutes) to answer the problem on their own in their notebooks or on a recording sheet.  When the allotted time is up, say “Scoot!” All students must move and answer another card that awaits them.

Change the Difficulty Level if Needed

For students who are struggling with addition, subtraction, or both, use these cards for math small group interventions to focus on each specific operation at a time.

If needed, allow students to use a whiteboard to show their work and draw a picture in the “Build It” section of the cards.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print the task cards on cardstock for added durability and longevity. To make this game more sustainable, print and place cards in dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a dry-erase marker, then erase and reuse.

Before You Download

Use the drop-down icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource.

This resource was created by Nicole Ellis, a teacher in New York and a Teach Starter Collaborator.

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