🔢 MathLevel 1Lesson 12
← Back🔒 PDF with full access

Story Problems with Pictures

Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).

Learning Objectives

  • 1Read a short story problem and spot the clue words that signal add or subtract
  • 2Choose the correct number sentence for a story problem
  • 3Solve the number sentence and find the answer
📘

Mini Lesson

Math lives in the real world! Story problems put numbers into everyday situations — and our job is to figure out what to do with them.

Step-by-step strategy

  • Step 1 — Read slowly. What is the story about? What is it asking?
  • Step 2 — Find the numbers. Circle or underline the numbers you need.
  • Step 3 — Spot the clue word. Does the story say "join together" or "how many left"?
  • Step 4 — Write the number sentence. Add or subtract, then solve.
  • Step 5 — Check. Does the answer make sense in the story?

Addition clue words

  • in all, altogether, total, join, both, combined, how many now

Subtraction clue words

  • left, remain, fewer, take away, give away, eat, lose, how many more

Worked example

  • "Mia has 6 grapes. She eats 2. How many are left?"
  • Clue word: left → subtract
  • Number sentence: 6 − 2 = 4
  • Answer: 4 grapes are left.
Five-step strategy for solving story problemsFive numbered steps in colored boxes: 1. Read slowly, 2. Find the numbers, 3. Spot the clue word, 4. Write the number sentence, 5. Check your answer.Story Problem Strategy1Read slowlyWhat is the story asking?2Find the numbersCircle the numbers you need.3Spot the clue word"join" → add · "left" → subtract4Write the number sentence6 − 2 = ? or 4 + 3 = ?5Check — does it make sense?Re-read the story with your answer.
The five-step story problem strategy — read, find numbers, spot the clue word, write the sentence, then check.
Clue word chart showing addition words on the left and subtraction words on the rightTwo columns. Left column labeled Add with a plus sign: in all, altogether, total, join, how many now. Right column labeled Subtract with a minus sign: left, take away, fewer, give away, how many more.Clue Words➕ Addin allaltogethertotaljoin / bothcombinedhow many nowmore than→ use +➖ Subtractleft / remaintake awayfewergive awayeat / losehow many moredifference→ use −
Clue word reference chart — addition words (blue) and subtraction words (orange) to help choose the right operation.
💡

Ask yourself: "Are the groups joining together or is something being taken away?"

Vocabulary
Story problem
A short story with numbers that you need to solvee.g. "Mia has 6 grapes…" is a story problem.
Clue word
A word in the story that tells you to add or to subtracte.g. "Left" is a clue word for subtract.
Number sentence
A short math line like 6 − 2 = 4 that solves a probleme.g. The number sentence is 4 + 3 = 7.
Altogether
A clue word that means add to find the totale.g. "How many altogether?" tells me to add.
Free · 7 days · No credit card

Unlock the full HSEA system for 7 days.

Add your first kid profile and your 7 days start: every lesson in every grade, saved progress for each child. Nothing to set up, no card required, nothing to cancel.

  • ✓ All 1,680 lessons, Grades 1–6, every subject
  • ✓ Profiles + saved progress for every kid
  • ✓ Printable lessons with answer key
Start your 7-day free trial →
Already convinced? See full membership plans →
← Lesson 11: Understanding Fact FamiliesLesson 13: Doubles and Near Doubles →