Word Problems Teaching Resources
Browse maths word problems and word problem worksheets created by teachers for Australian teachers like you! This vast collection covers all four maths operations with problem-solving tasks that allow students to apply their maths skills to real-world problems!
From worksheets to task cards, this collection is full of Australian maths curriculum-aligned resources, ready for your classroom, your lesson plans and your students!
Curious about using word problems in your classroom? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a kid-friendly definition of the concept and tips to ensure your students succeed with word problems!
What Is a Word Problem? A Kid-Friendly Definition
No doubt you know the answer to this question, but would you know how to answer if a student asked? Here's a handy definition that you can use!
A word problem is a kind of maths problem that is presented in words instead of just numbers. Word problems require us to use our maths skills to solve real-life scenarios or situations.
A word problem usually includes a question or a scenario that needs to be solved using one of the four maths operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.
How to Help Students Succeed With Word Problems
Word problems are a fantastic tool to help students build their problem-solving skills. So how do you set them up for success?
Our teacher team has a few tricks up our sleeve to ensure your students are able to translate their maths skills into real-world problem-solving situations.
1. Teach Key Word Problem Vocabulary
Word problems are full of, well, words that serve as cues for students to help them know which operations to apply. Make sure to explicitly teach students the words so they know the appropriate actions.
For example, if a student sees the term 'take away' in a word problem, they should know that subtraction is involved. Here are just a few other key word problem vocabulary terms:
- How much
- Increased by
- How much longer
- Lost
- Remain
- Reduce
You may want to create anchor charts as a class with some of these keywords so students have a handy reference.
2. Hand Out Highlighter Pens
Teach students to work through a word problem and highlight or underline the important information (such as what is being asked for), while they cross out redundant information and other bits that are not necessary.
This can help them focus on the key points that matter.
3. Teach the CUBES Strategy
This handy strategy is a favourite amongst our teacher team (you'll even find CUBES resources on our site!). CUBES stands for:
- Circle all the numbers
- Underline the question
- Box the key words
- Evaluate and write the equation
- Solve & check
4. Practise Creating Word Problems As a Class
Before you hand already crafted word problems to your students to solve, why not work together as a class to create some?
Take regular addition or subtraction problems from the many worksheets on Teach Starter, and turn them into word problems together so students can reverse engineer the process. Students can also draw a picture to illustrate the problem.
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Problem Solving Strategies
A set of 10 posters outlining problem solving strategies.
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Daily Maths Problems - Year 4
A 44 slide editable PowerPoint Template for problem solving in mathematics.
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Word Problem Worksheet - Money
Money word problem worksheet with answers.
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Part Part Whole Word Problem Task Cards and Worksheet
Explore these animal-themed part-part-whole word problems that will open discussions with your young mathematicians.
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Adding and Subtracting Within 10 - Word Problem Task Cards
Solve word problems practicing addition and subtraction to ten with a set of printable task cards.
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Open-Ended Maths Problem Solving PowerPoint - Upper Primary
A PowerPoint with 20 open-ended problem solving questions covering a range of mathematical concepts.
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Telling Time - Story Problem Comprehension Worksheets
Practise reading comprehension and telling time skills with a printable pack of Telling Time Maths Story Worksheets.
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Basic Subtraction Word Problems - Worksheet
Solve subtraction word problems by drawing picture models with a printable subtraction worksheet.
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Multiplication Match-Up Puzzles
A match-up activity to assist students in understanding multiplication word problems.
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Daily Maths Problems - Year 3
A 63 slide editable PowerPoint Template for problem solving in mathematics.
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Open-ended Maths Problem Solving Cards - Lower Primary
A set of 20 open-ended problem solving cards covering a range of mathematical concepts.
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Open-ended Maths Problem Solving Cards - Middle Primary
A set of 20 open-ended problem solving cards covering a range of mathematical concepts.
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The Escape From Millbrook Manor – Whole Class Escape Game
Practise computation skills by solving puzzles with this differentiated Halloween escape room game.
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Pandora's Party Palace Maths Activity – Upper Years
Sixteen mathematics problem-solving task cards involving money in a real-world context.
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Daily Maths Problems - Year 6
A 44 slide editable PowerPoint Template for problem solving in mathematics.
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Class Carnival – Probability STEM Challenges
A set of four carnival-themed STEM challenges where students create fun games that incorporate probability.
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Addition Match-Up Puzzles
A set of 15 match-up cards to scaffold work with addition word problems.
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Multiplication or Division? Working Cards
20 multiplication and division problem solving cards.
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Bobby's Board Games – Maths Game Challenge
Challenge students to design and make a maths board game.
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Pandora's Party Palace Maths Activity – Lower Years
16 mathematics problem solving task cards involving money in a real-world context.
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Problem Solving Mat
A problem solving mat to help guide young children when solving a mathematical problem.
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Rearranging Parts Word Problems Worksheet
Extend students with this rearranging parts word problem worksheet.
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Perimeter Word Problems Worksheet
Get students solving real-life perimeter word problems with a printable worksheet for 3rd and 4th grade.
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10 Problem Solving Strategy Cards
A set of 10 problem solving strategy cards.
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Maths Problem Solving Cards - Lower Primary
A set of 30 problem solving questions covering a range of mathematical concepts.
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Multiplication Word Problems Template
A template to use as a scaffold to help students create multiplication word problems.
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Mini-Mystery – Who Won the Race?
A fun, logic-based activity where students read clues to solve the mystery.
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Even and Odd Numbers Task Cards - Word Problems
Identify odd and even numbers within word problems with a set of task cards.
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10 Problem Solving Strategies Posters
Posters highlighting 10 problem solving strategies.
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Problem Solving PowerPoint - Lower Primary
A PowerPoint with 30 problem solving questions covering a range of mathematical concepts.
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Halloween Themed Division Word Problems - Task Cards
Use various strategies to solve division word problems with a set of Halloween Task Cards.
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Save Santa's Workshop – Whole Class Escape Game
Solve clues to save Santa's Workshop with this fun and festive escape room game.