Lesson 92: Story problems with pictures

🧮 MATH (40 Lessons) • 🔵 B. Addition and Subtraction

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Objective

I can read a story problem with pictures, decide if I should add or subtract, and choose or write a number sentence to match the story.

Materials

Mini-lesson — How do we read story problems?

A story problem (word problem) tells a little story about numbers. Pictures and words work together to help us know what to do.

Look, think, then choose add or subtract

  • Look at the picture: What do you see? Counters, objects, or people.
  • Read the story: Are we putting together or taking away?
  • Decide: If the groups join, you add. If some are taken away or used, you subtract.

Example 1 — Adding story

  • Story: "Mia has 3 apples. She gets 2 more apples."
  • Picture: 3 apples, then 2 more apples.
  • We are putting apples together, so we add.
  • Number sentence: 3 + 2 = 5.

Example 2 — Subtracting story

  • Story: "There are 7 balloons. 2 balloons fly away."
  • Picture: 7 balloons, with 2 crossed out.
  • We are taking away, so we subtract.
  • Number sentence: 7 − 2 = 5.

Helpful words in stories

  • Add, in all, altogether, sum → usually add.
  • Take away, left, how many are left → usually subtract.

In this lesson we stay mostly within 20. Use pictures, counters, and number lines to show how you solved each story problem.

Picture strip: Story problems with pictures

Adding story — apples

Subtracting story — balloons

Guided Practice — Solve a story problem step by step

You will read a short story problem, look at a picture, and decide if you should add or subtract. Then you will use the tracing pad to write important story problem words.

  1. Read the story: For example, "There are 4 birds on a branch. 3 more birds join them."
  2. Look at the picture: Check that it shows 4 birds and then 3 more birds.
  3. Decide what happens: The groups of birds are joining, so you will add.
  4. Use counters: Put 4 counters down, then 3 more. Count how many in all.
  5. Write the number sentence: In your notebook, write 4 + 3 = 7. Say it aloud: "Four plus three equals seven."
  6. Try a subtracting story: "There are 9 cookies. 2 cookies are eaten." Now you are taking away, so you subtract. Use counters and write 9 − 2 = 7.
  7. Use the tracing pad: Trace words like story, picture, add, or left. You can also trace one of your numbers, such as 7 or 9.
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: After you trace your words, write one short sentence such as "I read the story and choose to add or subtract." Draw a tiny picture to match your sentence.

Practice 1 — Match pictures to stories

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 1]

Practice 2 — Choose add or subtract

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 2]

Practice 3 — Write number sentences for stories

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 3]

Quick Check — Story problems with pictures

Answer each question about story problems. You may use pictures, counters, or a number line to help you.

1) What is a story problem?

A story problem is a short story that includes numbers and a question.

2) The story says: "There are 4 cats. 3 more cats come." What should you do?

More cats are joining, so you add: 4 + 3.

3) The story says: "There are 9 pencils. 2 pencils roll away." Which number sentence matches?

Two pencils are taken away, so you subtract: 9 − 2 = 7.

4) Which word usually tells you to add?

"Altogether" means you are putting groups together, so you add.

5) Which word usually tells you to subtract?

"Left" often means some were taken away and you want to know how many remain.

6) A picture shows 5 birds on a tree and 4 more birds flying to the tree. Which equation matches the picture?

The groups are joining, so 5 + 4 = 9 matches the picture.

7) A picture shows 10 stars. 3 stars are crossed out. Which equation matches?

Crossing out shows taking away, so 10 − 3 = 7 is best.

8) The story says: "Sam has 6 stickers. He gets 4 more stickers." What is the sum of his stickers?

6 + 4 = 10, so the sum of his stickers is 10.

9) The story says: "There are 8 fish in a tank. 5 fish swim away to another tank." How many fish are left?

You subtract: 8 − 5 = 3 fish left.

10) When you see a picture story, what should you do first?

Always look and read first so you understand what is happening.

11) Which story sounds like an adding story?

"Gets 5 new dolls" means more are added, so it is an adding story.

12) Which story sounds like a subtracting story?

Balloons popping means some go away, so you subtract.

13) The story says: "There are 10 children. Some are sitting and some are standing." Why do you need more information before you can write an equation?

You need the parts to know what numbers to add or subtract.

14) Why is drawing a quick picture helpful for a story problem?

A picture helps you see if you should add or subtract and how many there are.

15) A student says: "I read the story, looked at the picture, and checked my answer with counters." What did they do well?

Using words, pictures, and counters together is a strong strategy.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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