Teaching Students to Write Word Problems
I love word problems. There I said it, I really do. Anytime I can
squeeze in some extra practice for my kiddos, I do! I especially love
tasking my students with writing their own word problems. This
encourages them to think about word problems more critically than when
they simply read and solve a problem.
We recently started practicing this skill in my classroom. Typically, I start this much earlier in the school year, but we just weren’t ready to tackle this skill until recently. Some years are like that, right? Now that the skill has been introduced, we can practice it each week (and I’m pretty excited about that).
A Few Things You Need to Know
When I task my students with writing their own word problems there are two things you need to know.
1. I give them a starting point. Meaning, the activity isn’t totally open ended. I give them an answer, and it is their job to write a word problem to match.
2. I start out by keeping it simple because I want them to grasp the concept and feel successful with something new. I encourage the use of key words, and I encourage them to write straightforward problems without «extra» information. When the time is right, they will be encouraged to write tougher problems.
Procedures
So, to introduce the skill of writing word problems, I use this chart.
And, this mini book (or some variation of it….more on that in a moment).
Here’s a look at that chart again.
Keep in mind that these guidelines work for us because we write word problems based on a given answer.
Once we go over the chart, we write at least one word problem together, using the mini book from above and the chart to guide us. Then, I have the students work in pairs to write a second word problem. I check their stories as they finish. Finally, the students write one word problem independently. Again, I check it when they are finished writing because I like to help them make any necessary corrections/changes on the spot.
As we revisit the skill each week, the students will write one story at a time. Independently.
I keep it simple at first, encouraging them to use key words, and to stick to simple stories (two statements and a question) like the one shown below. Once they have these steps down, I will begin to
encourage them to add extra information to their problems.
I love using my What’s the Problem? mini books for practicing this skill (shown above, and below). I made an entire series of these mini books several years ago, and they are still a useful resource. Did I mention that they are a freebie? 
This one is The Lucky Edition, but I’ve made one for just about every month of the year.
Frequency
As mentioned above, the first day that we practice this skill the students write three word problems. After that, they write just a few a week. We bring the book out as part of our math warm up, or at the end of our math lesson. They end up writing about two word problems a week. This gives them continued practice, but they also don’t get burned out as easily as they would if we did it every.single.day.
A Few Final Thoughts
It is always harder for students to write a word problem
than it is to solve one. And, they learn this pretty quickly. However,
they seem to enjoy the challenge of getting it right. As we say in my classroom, if you don’t challenge your brain, it won’t grow. So, bring on the challenge!
When you’re first starting out, you’ll notice that some
students «get it» very quickly, whereas others need repeated practice
with the skill before it begins to click. Some students will need more scaffolding than others, and some will need to be encouraged to write «tougher» problems. I’ve even changed some of the answers for students who needed to work with either bigger or smaller numbes. As always, do what’s best for your students and differentiate as needed.
Below are links to the What’s the Problem mini books that I’ve shared in the past. I hope you can use them. 
Have fun challenging your learners!
DON’T FORGET IT, PIN IT!
Share It:
>Addition word problems
>Subtraction word problems
>Multiplication word problems
>Division word problems
>Multi-Step word problems
Welcome to the math word problems worksheets page at Math-Drills.com! On this page, you will find Math word and story problems worksheets with single- and multi-step solutions on a variety of math topics including addition, multiplication, subtraction, division and other math topics. It is usually a good idea to ensure students already have a strategy or two in place to complete the math operations involved in a particular question. For example, students may need a way to figure out what 7 × 8 is or have previously memorized the answer before you give them a word problem that involves finding the answer to 7 × 8.
There are a number of strategies used in solving math word problems; if you don’t have a favorite, try the Math-Drills.com problem-solving strategy:
- Question: Understand what the question is asking. What operation or operations do you need to use to solve this question? Ask for help to understand the question if you can’t do it on your own.
- Estimate: Use an estimation strategy, so you can check your answer for reasonableness in the evaluate step. Try underestimating and overestimating, so you know what range the answer is supposed to be in. Be flexible in rounding numbers if it will make your estimate easier.
- Strategize: Choose a strategy to solve the problem. Will you use mental math, manipulatives, or pencil and paper? Use a strategy that works for you. Save the calculator until the evaluate stage.
- Calculate: Use your strategy to solve the problem.
- Evaluate: Compare your answer to your estimate. If you under and overestimated, is the answer in the correct range. If you rounded up or down, does the answer make sense (e.g. is it a little less or a little more than the estimate). Also check with a calculator.
Most Popular Math Word Problems this Week
Various Word Problems
Various word problems for students who have mastered basic arithmetic and need a further challenge.
Addition word problems
Subtraction word problems
Multiplication word problems
Division word problems
Multi-Step word problems
1. A
The ratio between black and blue pens is 7 to 28 or 7:28. Bring to the lowest terms by dividing both sides by 7 gives 1:4.
2. A
At 100% efficiency 1 machine produces 1450/10 = 145 m of cloth.
At 95% efficiency, 4 machines produce 4 * 145 * 95/100 = 551 m of cloth.
At 90% efficiency, 6 machines produce 6 * 145 * 90/100 = 783 m of cloth.
Total cloth produced by all 10 machines = 551 + 783 = 1334 m
Since the information provided and the question are based on 8 hours, we did not need to use time to reach the answer.
3. D
The turnout at polling station A is 945 out of 1270 registered voters. So, the percentage turnout at station A is:
(945/1270) × 100% = 74.41%
The turnout at polling station B is 860 out of 1050 registered voters. So, the percentage turnout at station B is:
(860/1050) × 100% = 81.90%
The turnout at polling station C is 1210 out of 1440 registered voters. So, the percentage turnout at station C is:
(1210/1440) × 100% = 84.03%
To find the total turnout from all three polling stations, we need to add up the total number of voters and the total number of registered voters from all three stations:
Total number of voters = 945 + 860 + 1210 = 3015
Total number of registered voters = 1270 + 1050 + 1440 = 3760
The overall percentage turnout is:
(3015/3760) × 100% = 80.12%
Therefore, the total turnout from all three polling stations is 80.12% — rounding to 80%.
4. D
This is a simple direct proportion problem:
If Lynn can type 1 page in p minutes, then she can type x pages in 5 minutes
We do cross multiplication: x * p = 5 * 1
Then,
x = 5/p
5. A
This is an inverse ratio problem.
1/x = 1/a + 1/b where a is the time Sally can paint a house, b is the time John can paint a house, x is the time Sally and John can together paint a house.
So,
1/x = 1/4 + 1/6 … We use the least common multiple in the denominator that is 24:
1/x = 6/24 + 4/24
1/x = 10/24
x = 24/10
x = 2.4 hours.
In other words; 2 hours + 0.4 hours = 2 hours + 0.4•60 minutes
= 2 hours 24 minutes
6. D
The original price of the dishwasher is $450. During a 15% off sale, the price of the dishwasher will be reduced by:
15% of $450 = 0.15 x $450 = $67.50
So the sale price of the dishwasher will be:
$450 – $67.50 = $382.50
As an employee, the person receives an additional 20% off the lowest price, which is $382.50. We can calculate the additional discount as:
20% of $382.50 = 0.20 x $382.50 = $76.50
So the final price that the employee will pay for the dishwasher is:
$382.50 – $76.50 = $306.00
Therefore, the employee will pay $306.00 for the dishwasher.
7. D
Original price = x,
80/100 = 12590/X,
80X = 1259000,
X = 15,737.50.
8. D
We are given that each of the n employees earns s amount of salary weekly. This means that one employee earns s salary weekly. So; Richard has ‘ns’ amount of money to employ n employees for a week.
We are asked to find the number of days n employees can be employed with x amount of money. We can do simple direct proportion:
If Richard can employ n employees for 7 days with ‘ns’ amount of money,
Richard can employ n employees for y days with x amount of money … y is the number of days we need to find.
We can do cross multiplication:
y = (x * 7)/(ns)
y = 7x/ns
9. B
The distribution is done at three different rates and in three different amounts:
$6.4 per 20 kilograms to 15 shops … 20•15 = 300 kilograms distributed
$3.4 per 10 kilograms to 12 shops … 10•12 = 120 kilograms distributed
550 – (300 + 120) = 550 – 420 = 130 kilograms left. This 50
amount is distributed in 5 kilogram portions. So, this means that there are 130/5 = 26 shops.
$1.8 per 130 kilograms.
We need to find the amount he earned overall these distributions.
$6.4 per 20 kilograms : 6.4•15 = $96 for 300 kilograms
$3.4 per 10 kilograms : 3.4 *12 = $40.8 for 120 kilograms
$1.8 per 5 kilograms : 1.8 * 26 = $46.8 for 130 kilograms
So, he earned 96 + 40.8 + 46.8 = $ 183.6
The total distribution cost is given as $10
The profit is found by: Money earned – money spent … It is important to remember that he bought 550 kilograms of potatoes for $165 at the beginning:
Profit = 183.6 – 10 – 165 = $8.6
10. B
We check the fractions taking place in the question. We see that there is a “half” (that is 1/2) and 3/7. So, we multiply the denominators of these fractions to decide how to name the total money. We say that Mr. Johnson has 14x at the beginning; he gives half of this, meaning 7x, to his family. $250 to his landlord. He has 3/7 of his money left. 3/7 of 14x is equal to:
14x * (3/7) = 6x
So,
Spent money is: 7x + 250
Unspent money is: 6×51
Total money is: 14x
Write an equation: total money = spent money + unspent money
14x = 7x + 250 + 6x
14x – 7x – 6x = 250
x = 250
We are asked to find the total money that is 14x:
14x = 14 * 250 = $3500
11. D
First calculate total square feet, which is 15 * 24 = 360 ft2. Next, convert this value to square yards, (1 yards2 = 9 ft2) which is 360/9 = 40 yards2. At $0.50 per square yard, the total cost is 40 * 0.50 = $20.
This file has 5 word problems, one for each day of the week. All problems require basic addition and subtraction and feature very simple vocabulary. If you prefer a full-color poster version of the problems, please click the «Alt» button below.
1st Grade
Logged in members can use the Super Teacher Worksheets filing cabinet to save their favorite worksheets.
Quickly access your most used files AND your custom generated worksheets!
Please login to your account or become a member and join our community today to utilize this helpful feature.
This file contains the next 5 word problems in the first grade set. All word problems have easy-to-read words, and require only basic addition and subtraction skills.
1st Grade
Solve five more simple addition and subtraction problems with simple, easy-to-read vocabulary.
1st Grade
Skills in this set include ordering numbers, operations, and very basic repeated addition.
1st Grade
Add and subtract to find the answers to math questions about hot dogs, triangles, toy cars, books, and toy tops.
1st Grade
These illustrated math stories require students to find simple sums and differences.
1st Grade
In the 7th week of daily word problems, your pupils can answer addition and subtraction word problems about cupcakes, cookies, toys, and rocks.
1st Grade
Here are five more first grade-level word problems for your students to solve.
1st Grade
On these worksheets, students will answer more simple word problems. These include bats, jelly jars, camping, foxes, and calendars.
1st Grade
Count by twos starting with 2 (2, 12, 22, 32, 42…), practice repeated addition, as well as basic addition and subtraction.
1st Grade
Here are five more addition/subtraction word problems for 1st graders. Themes include horses, sandcastles, pie, pirates, and kittens.
1st Grade
Count by 10s. Then solve four basic addition and subtraction word problems.
1st Grade
Confession: It was my first year teaching and one month before the state test, I realized that I had failed to expose my students to enough word problems for them to be successful and confident with them. I was so caught up in the pacing guide and using the math textbook that I failed to make the math real world and situational for my students. Big mistake on my part and I had to spend the next month doubling down on word problems to make up for it.
Since that first year, I have learned a lot and started introducing word problems of the day as part of my math review or mini-lessons. On this post, I am sharing a free word problem of the day starter pack for you to use the first 20 days of school! This free word problem starter pack for 4th and 5th grade will set you on the right path of regular word problem practice and you won’t make the same mistake I did!
I touched on this a bit already but here are some more benefits of using a word problem of the day routine in your classroom:
- Continually exposes your students to word problems in a variety of contexts and with a variety of operations.
- When you use skill-based sets, you can ensure you only expose your students to word problems with skills they have been taught.
- Regular practice with word problem will lead to greater student success and, more importantly, confidence.
- Word problems will be a normal part of instruction and not seen as difficult or hard by students.
About the Word Problem of the Day Starter Pack
What skills are covered?
There are two versions, labeled Set A and Set B.
Set A has problems for addition and subtraction with 4-digit numbers and basic multiplication and division problems. There are also five multi-step problems. This set is ideal for the beginning of 4th grade (or the beginning of 5th graders who struggle with math).
Set B has problems for addition and subtraction with 6-digit numbers and multi-digit multiplication and division (multiplying by 1-digit only and dividing with 1-digit divisors). There are also five multi-step problems. This set is ideal for the beginning of 5th grade.
About the Format
Each set is available in three formats.
One problem per page format: This format works well for projecting the problems via a smartboard or printing them out to place at a math center.
One problem per page with student workspace: This format works well for giving each student a word problem daily. There is ample space for the students to organize and show their work.
One week per page: This format works well for paper-saving classrooms. All of the word problems for the week are on one page.
Using Review Skills to Begin the Year
I use the first month of school to really set the expectations and model for the students what I expect when they are solving word problems (read more about how we show the love with word problems here).
And it is so important that when teaching expectations and modeling a process, you use review skills that the students are already familiar with and have achieved mastery with. It is incredibly difficulty to try and teach students how you want them to solve a word problem using a math skill that they have not mastered yet. It will frustrate them and take away from the focus.
For that reason, I use these word problem of the day starter packs that contain skills from the previous grade level. This allows students to focus on the routine of solving a word problem daily and the process you want them to take before, during, and after solving a word problem.
Word Problem of the Day Routine
Speaking of the process, here is a brief run-down of how I use word problem of the day:
- I read the word problem and tell the students to focus on what is happening in the word problem.
- I ask for volunteers to reread the word problem and this time we focus on what the word problem is asking us.
- I ask 1-2 volunteers to retell the word problem in their own words.
- As a class, we restate the question into a sentence with a blank for the answer (this really ensures we know what the question is asking us).
- I give the students 1-2 minutes of private think time to think about how they will solve the problem.
- The students then get another 3-5 minutes of independent time to solve the problem. As the students are solving the problem, I monitor their understanding, ask guiding questions, and look for examples to share.
- We share what we think the answer is, how we got the answer, how we know it is correct, and the we plug it into our sentence (from step 4) and see if it makes sense.
The entire process takes about 15 minutes but is so valuable…and it does speed up as the year goes on and you can eliminate some of the steps.
How do I get the FREE word problem of the day starter pack?
Just put your email address in the box below and the starter packs (both Set A and Set B) will be sent to your inbox!
FREE Word Problem of the Day Packs
Join my email list to get the Word Problem of the Day Starter Packs for FREE! If you are already on my email list, you can sign up again for this freebie without getting duplicate emails. 🙂
Where can I buy more word problem of the day packs to continue this?
Once you finish with the starter packs, I have grade level sets available for purchase so you can continue your word problem of the day routine all year. The bundles include three main sets with three sets inside of the main sets for a total of 180 word problems. And the best parts are that the third set of each main set contains multi-step problems AND the sets are skill-based so you can ensure your students are only seeing word problems for skills you have taught. You can also mix and match the sets as you please.