🔢 MathLevel 1Lesson 34
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Math Word Problems

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Read a math word problem and picture what is happening
  • 2Spot key words that tell you to add or subtract
  • 3Write a number sentence for a word problem and solve it
  • 4Check that the answer makes sense in the story
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Mini Lesson

A word problem hides a math question inside a little story. Your job is to be a math detective — read the story, find the clues, and write a number sentence to solve it!

Step 1 — Read the whole problem once

  • Read slowly. Picture the story in your head.
  • Ask: what is happening? What do I need to find out?

Step 2 — Spot the key words

  • Addition key words: altogether, in all, total, more, joined, added, how many now.
  • Subtraction key words: left, fewer, gave away, took away, how many more, difference.

Step 3 — Write the number sentence

  • Use the numbers from the story and the correct operation (+ or −).
  • Example: "Mia has 5 apples. She gets 3 more. How many altogether?" → 5 + 3 = 8
  • Example: "Ben has 9 crayons. He gives 4 away. How many are left?" → 9 − 4 = 5

Step 4 — Check your answer

  • Re-read the question. Does your answer make sense in the story?
  • If you added, check with subtraction: 8 − 3 = 5 ✓
Key words anchor chart: addition words on the left and subtraction words on the rightTwo colored columns. Left green column labeled Add plus shows the words: altogether, in all, total, more, joined. Right orange column labeled Subtract minus shows the words: left, fewer, gave away, took away, difference.Key Word Anchor ChartAdd +altogetherin alltotalmorejoinedhow many now➕Subtract −leftfewergave awaytook awaydifferencehow many more➖
Key word anchor chart — green column shows addition signal words, orange column shows subtraction signal words.
Four-step worked example solving a word problem about applesFour numbered steps. Step 1 read: Mia has 5 apples and gets 3 more. Step 2 key word: altogether means add. Step 3 number sentence: 5 plus 3 equals 8. Step 4 check: 8 minus 3 equals 5 which matches the story.Worked Example1. Read:Mia has 5 🍎. She gets 3 more. How many altogether?2. Key word:"altogether" → this means ADD ➕3. Number sentence:5 + 3 = 84. Check:8 − 3 = 5 ✓ (matches the story — she started with 5)Answer makes sense! Mia has 8 apples. ✅
A four-step worked example — read, find the key word, write the number sentence, then check.
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Ask yourself: "Which key word tells me to add or subtract? Does my answer make sense in the story?"

Vocabulary
Word problem
A math question hidden inside a short storye.g. "Mia has 5 apples…" is a word problem.
Key word
A story word that tells you to add or to subtracte.g. "Altogether" is a key word for add.
Number sentence
A short math line that solves the storye.g. 5 + 3 = 8 is a number sentence.
Difference
The answer you get when you subtracte.g. The difference between 9 and 4 is 5.
Total
How many you have when you add everything upe.g. The total of 5 and 3 is 8.
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