Are you tired of struggling with teaching word problems using addition? If so, you’re not alone. Many students find word problems challenging because they require both math skills and reading comprehension. But fear not because we have the solution to help you master word problems using addition. By understanding how to break down the problem, identify the relevant information, and strategize with addition, you’ll have the tools to solve any word problem that comes your way.
- ☀Download this BONUS Guide with everything you need to cultivate a positive classroom community.
- ➕Includes definitions, lesson ideas, mindset surveys for students and teachers, and printable posters.
- 🧠💪Research shows a link between a growth mindset and math success. Kids with a growth mindset about their abilities perform better and are more engaged in the classroom.
- 👉Includes everything you need to start cultivating a more positive math classroom and students who love math.
- Download and get started today! Click here to download the Bonus Mindset Guide & Survey.
I was getting frustrated one day because my students were struggling with word problems using addition. I had to step back and think about different ways to help them succeed. First, we started with very simple problems that we were acting out on the rug. Next, we then moved to problems we could solve with counters. Word problems can be difficult to understand, but by using concrete materials, students were able to visualize what was happening in the problems and make connections to their own lives.
What are Word Problems?
A word problem is a few sentences describing a ‘real-life’ scenario where a problem needs to be solved through a mathematical calculation.
A one-step equation is an algebraic equation you can solve in only one step. The common core lists several problem situations that are taught beginning in Kindergarten.
Word Problem Example
Paula has 6 tickets for the raffle. Mark has 8 tickets. How many tickets do they have in all?
Importance of Mastering Word Problems
Word problems are essential to mathematics education, requiring students to apply their mathematical knowledge to real-world scenarios. In addition, mastering the art of solving word problems helps students develop their problem-solving skills and enhances their critical thinking and reasoning abilities.
By tackling word problems effectively, students can better understand mathematical concepts and their practical applications. This, in turn, can lead to improved academic performance, increased confidence in their mathematical abilities, and better preparedness for future challenges in both academic and professional settings.
Moreover, solving word problems is highly sought-after in various industries and professions. Employers often value candidates who can demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, which are crucial for tasks such as data analysis, project management, and strategic decision-making. Mastering word problems, particularly those involving addition, can give students a competitive edge as they navigate their academic and professional journeys.
Understanding Addition with Word Problems
Addition is one of the fundamental mathematical operations, forming the foundation for solving many types of word problems. Understanding the underlying principles of addition is crucial for effectively applying them to solve word problems.
At its core, addition involves combining two or more quantities to find the total. In word problems, this can translate to combining various elements, such as the number of items, the cost of items, or the duration of events. In addition, by recognizing the additive nature of the problem, students can more easily identify the relevant information and determine the appropriate steps to arrive at the solution.
Key Steps to Solving Addition in Word Problems
Solving addition word problems typically involves a systematic approach that can be broken down into several key steps. By following these steps, students can effectively analyze the problem, identify the relevant information, and arrive at the correct solution.
Students are more successful when using these 4 problem solving steps in math. This helps them think about the problem and plan before even solving it. Then, after solving the problem, check if their answer makes sense.
Problem Solving Steps in Math
Step 1: Understand
- Read and think about the problem.
- Circle the needed information in the problem.
- Underline the question in the problem.
- Write an answer stem sentence. There are ____ pages left to read.
Step 2: Plan
- Make a plan to solve the problem.
- What strategy will you use? (draw a picture, work backward, look for a pattern, create a table, bar model)
- What math tools do you need?
Step 3: Do
- Solve the problem.
- Show your work to solve the problem.
Step 4: Check
- Answer the question and check your work.
- Write the answer into the answer stem.
- Does your answer make sense?
- Check your work using a different strategy.
By following these key steps, students can develop a systematic approach to solving addition word problems, which can be applied to various mathematical scenarios.
Common Types of Addition Word Problems
Addition word problems can take on various forms, each with unique characteristics and problem-solving strategies. Understanding the common types of addition word problems can help students better prepare for the challenges they may encounter.
Students begin with 3 types of addition problem structures in Kindergarten, then move on to solving all 7 types of addition word problem structures by the end of 1st Grade. Therefore, you must ensure you are modeling and having students practice all the different problem structures.
Kindergarten Word Problem Structures
- Add To- Result Unknown (7 add 3 equals a result: 7 + 3=?)
- Two frogs sat on the grass. Three more frogs hopped there. How many frogs are on the grass now? 2 + 3 = ?
- Put Together/Take Apart– total known (put together 7 and 3 and get a total: 7 + 3=?)
- Three red apples and two green apples are on the table. How many apples are on the table? 3 + 2 = ?
- Put Together/Take Apart- Both Addends Unknown (take 7 apart to make 2 groups: 7= ? + ?)
- Peter has 7 flowers. How many can she put in her red vase, and how many in her blue vase?
1st Grade Word Problem Structures
- Add To- Change Unknown (7 add some more equals 9: 7 + ? = 9)
- Two frogs were sitting on the grass. Some more frogs hopped there. Then there were five frogs. How many frogs hopped over to the first two? 2 + ? = 5
- Add To- Start Unknown (have some add 4 more equals 9: ? + 4= 9)
- Some bunnies were sitting on the grass. Three more bunnies hopped there. Then there were five bunnies. How many bunnies were on the grass before? ? + 3 =5
- Put Together/ Take Apart- Addend Unknown (take 7 apart: 7= 3 + ?)
- Five pears are on the table. Three are red, and the rest are green. How many pears are green? 3 + ? = 5, 5-3 = ?
- Comparison- Difference Unknown, Smaller Unknown, Bigger Unknown
- Difference unknown: Larry has 5 apples. James has 8 apples. How many more apples does Larry have than James? 5 + ? = 8 8 – 5 = ?
- Bigger unknown: Larry has 4 fewer oranges than James. Larry has 6 oranges. How many oranges does James have?
- Smaller unknown: Larry has 6 fewer apples than James. James has 9 apples. How many apples does Larry have?
2nd Grade Word Problem Structures
- Finally, continue to provide students with experiences using all the problem situations.
Link to Addition and Subtraction Problem Structure Table
Strategies for Solving Word Problems with Addition
Solving addition word problems can be challenging, but with the right strategies and techniques, students can improve their problem-solving skills and increase their chances of success. Here are some tips and tricks to help you master the art of solving addition word problems:
- Identify key information: Carefully read the problem and identify the essential information, such as the quantities involved, the relationships between them, and the specific question being asked. This will help you determine the appropriate addition operation to use.
- Visualize or act out the problem: Creating a visual representation of the problem, such as a diagram or a table, can help you better understand the relationships between the quantities and make the problem more manageable.
- Break down the problem: If the problem is complex or involves multiple steps, try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable parts. This can make it easier to identify the relevant information and develop a step-by-step solution.
- Use appropriate units: Ensure that you are working with the correct units of measurement and that you are consistent throughout the problem-solving process. This can prevent errors and make the solution more accurate.
- Check your work: After solving the problem, always double-check your work to ensure that you have done everything correctly in your calculations and in your understanding of the problem.
Word Problems in Addition and Subtraction
Word problems in addition and subtraction can be challenging for students if we do not take the time to model the steps in solving problems and teach them strategies.
Acting out and using counters to act out various situations builds the foundation for more complex problems. Then, students are ready to do more complicated problem structures using concrete materials and eventually draw pictures and write equations. In addition, starting with smaller numbers helps students focus on the problems and not the computation at first.
Teaching Word Problems for Addition and Subtraction
Kindergarten Word Problems
K.OA.A.2 Solve addition and subtraction word problems and add and subtract within 10.
Students connect their work from K.OA.A.1 (representing addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds, acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations) to applying addition and subtraction to various word problem situations.
Students should first use concrete objects and later use drawings to represent what is happening in the problem. Teachers should begin with smaller addends (up to 5) and then move to larger addends (with the total being 10 or less).
1st Grade Word Problems
1.OA.A.1 Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing with unknowns in all positions.
Review situations taught in kindergarten at the beginning of the first grade and increase the number to 20. Over time, the other situations will be introduced for students to model. Have students describe what is happening in the problem and make a plan for solving the problem. In addition, they should identify what they are looking for in each problem situation. For example, the number of apples.
Students solve problems using materials such as counters, five and ten frames, part-part-whole tables, and number lines to model various situations. In addition, they begin to use drawings to represent what is happening in the problem. Model writing equations that describe the student’s actions with the expectation that they will begin to use symbols to show their work when ready. Give students opportunities to say the equation orally and then in writing.
Eventually, move to the comparison situations. Students begin by modeling the problem with concrete materials and progress to drawing pictures. Emphasize the difference between more than and fewer than situations.
2nd Grade Word Problems
2.OA.A.1 Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one-and two-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing with unknowns in all positions.
This standard extends the Kindergarten and Grade 1 one-step word problem standards. Students should continue to use linking cubes, place value blocks, ten frames, and counters to model problems. When solving problems, some students may be ready to move from the concrete stage to the representational stage.
Students may use materials or draw pictures to determine a strategy for solving a problem. Then, as students work with concrete materials to solve problems, teachers should help students see the connection between pictorial representations and abstract (equations) representations.
Teachers should continue to provide students with experiences using all the problem structures. Eventually, move to two-step word problems with smaller numbers and both operations being the same. Then, use larger numbers and addition and subtraction within the same problem.
Begin with using problems with small numbers, so the focus stays on understanding the problem situations and finding strategies to solve the problem instead of extending computational skills. Eventually, increase the range of numbers in the problem to a total (sum) of 100.
To read more on 2 Step Word Problems….What’s the Best Proven Way to Teach Word Problems with Two Step Equations?
Word-problems-of-addition-and-subtractionWord Problems in Math Addition Strategies
Using Ten Frames and Double Ten Frames
A ten frame is a rectangle with ten equal spaces. It has five spaces on top and five on the bottom. You often find ten frames positioned horizontally and filled with counters from left to right. A double ten frame is 2 ten frames put together to show up to 20.
Ten frames are a fantastic tool used in kindergarten and first grade to help build an understanding of counting, place value, adding, subtracting, and more. In addition, you use counters or math manipulatives to represent word problems on the frame. Check out this link to find a free Ten Frames Template. Ten Frames Free Printable.
Read more about using ten frames here…Why Using Ten Frames for Math to Develop Understanding is Effective?
Using Part-Part-Whole Mats
The part-part-whole model is a pictorial representation of a problem that helps students see the relationship between a “whole” and its components.
The part-part-whole diagram shows that you know some information but still need to find additional information. The bar can be split into as many parts as you need, depending on the information you’ve been given. The whole or any of the parts can be missing.
Children using this model will see the relationship between the whole number and its parts, helping learners to make the connections between addition and subtraction.
This is another valuable tool in modeling word problems. Check out this link to find a free Part-Part-Whole Template. Part- Part-Whole Mat
Read more about using the part-part-whole strategy here…How to Use the Powerful Part-Part-Whole Strategy to Improve Number Sense.
Real-World Applications Word Problems in Addition
Addition word problems are not just confined to the classroom; they have numerous real-life applications that can help students understand the relevance and importance of this mathematical skill. In addition, by exploring these real-world scenarios, students can gain a deeper appreciation for the practical applications of addition and how it can be used to solve everyday challenges.
Real-World Connections & Math Literature
Using real-world situations or situations from literature books will help students visualize what is happening in word problems. Then, students can act out the problem or use counters to model what is happening.
How to Write Word Problems to Connect to the Real-World
First, decide which type of problem structure you would like to use. Then, we need to be relatable to the students. When crafting a word problem, we need to ensure the students can connect to or picture what’s happening.
This comes from knowing your students and their interests. So when we create word problems and use these topics, the students are interested in the story and can visualize what’s happening. They especially love it when you use their names to make them the star of the word problem.
Resources for Teaching Word Problems
Mastering the art of solving addition word problems can be a journey, but there are numerous resources and tools available to support and guide students along the way. Here are some valuable resources to help you on your path to success:
Add To Word Problems- Result Unknown
Add To Change Unknown Word Problems
Word Problem Resources:
- Word Problems to 20- Desert Themed
- Word Problems to 20- Jungle Themed
- Word Problems to 20- Ocean Themed
Additional Resources for Word Problems with Addition:
- Link to Addition and Subtraction Problem Structure Table
- How Do You Successfully Teach Word Problems in Addition and Subtraction?
- What’s the Best Proven Way to Teach Word Problems with Two Step Equations?
- Top 3 Ways for Improving As a Teacher and Growing Your Mindset
Using Addition Word Problems
By understanding the fundamental principles of addition and the various strategies for solving addition word problems, students can develop skills to tackle a wide range of mathematical challenges. Start by modeling and move to more abstract ways to solve problems. In addition, make sure you include all types of addition problems for students to solve.
So how can teachers make math more interesting to engage students? Download The Free Ultimate Guide for Creating a Growth Mindset Classroom and Students Who Love Math for ideas, lessons, and mindset surveys to use in your classroom.
- ☀Download this BONUS Guide with everything you need to cultivate a positive classroom community.
- ➕Includes definitions, lesson ideas, mindset surveys for students and teachers, and printable posters.
- 🧠💪Research shows a link between a growth mindset and math success. Kids with a growth mindset about their abilities perform better and are more engaged in the classroom.
- 👉Includes everything you need to start cultivating a more positive math classroom and students who love math. Download and get started today! Click here to download the Mindset Guide & Survey.
Teaching the problem solving steps and exposing students to the different addition word problem structures prepares students to tackle word problems. What are some of your tips for teaching word problems using addition?
