Math Mystery Message!

Solve this: You have 12 stickers. Your friend gives you 5 more. How many stickers do you have in total?

Show your work here:

Your Answer:

One-Minute Math Reflection

What is one important thing you learned about solving word problems today?

How will this help you in real life?

Word Problem Whiz Kids Script

Warm-Up: Math Mystery Message (3 minutes)

"Good morning, math detectives! I hope you're ready to put on your thinking caps. Today, we're going to warm up our brains with a quick math mystery. Look at the problem on the screen [refer to Warm Up slide, or write on board]."

"You have 12 stickers. Your friend gives you 5 more. How many stickers do you have in total?"

"Take a moment to solve it mentally or on your mini-whiteboard. When you have your answer, hold it up!"

(Pause for students to solve and show answers)

"Great job! I see a lot of correct answers and different ways of thinking about it. Who would like to share how they solved it?"

(Call on 1-2 students to share their strategy.)

Introduction: Problem Solvers Unite! (5 minutes)

"Fantastic start, everyone! Today, we're becoming 'Word Problem Whiz Kids'! Have you ever had to solve a problem in your head, like figuring out how many cookies you and your friend have together, or how many toys are left after you give some away? Those are all word problems! And today, we're going to learn how to break them down and become super solvers."

"So, what exactly is a word problem? [Refer to 'What's a Word Problem?' slide]. It's basically a story with numbers! Instead of just seeing '12 + 5', you get a little story that helps you understand why you're adding or subtracting."

"Why are they important? [Refer to 'What's a Word Problem?' slide]. Because they help us use math in real life! Whether you're sharing candy, planning a party, or counting your savings, word problems are everywhere."

"To solve these number stories, we need to be like super detectives and look for special 'clue words' that tell us if we need to add or subtract. [Refer to 'Addition Clue Words' slide]. For addition, think 'in all,' 'altogether,' 'total,' 'sum,' 'plus,' or 'add.' Can anyone think of another word that tells us to add?"

(Take a few suggestions.)

"Excellent! Now, what about when things are taken away or we need to find the difference? [Refer to 'Subtraction Clue Words' slide]. For subtraction, listen for 'left,' 'how many more,' 'difference,' 'take away,' 'minus,' or 'fewer.' Any other ideas for subtraction clue words?"

(Take a few suggestions.)

Guided Practice: Let's Solve Together! (7 minutes)

"You've got some great ideas! Now, let's put our detective skills to the test and solve some problems together. I'll read the problem aloud, and you listen carefully for those clue words. [Refer to 'Let's Solve Together! Problem 1' slide or problem from Word Problem Worksheet]."

"Sarah had 15 stickers. Her friend gave her 7 more. How many stickers does Sarah have in all?"

"What clue words do you hear in this problem? [Pause for responses - e.g., 'gave her 7 more', 'in all']. Excellent! And what operation do those words tell us to use: addition or subtraction? [Pause for response - 'addition']. That's right, addition!"

"So, how do we solve it? What numbers are we adding? [Pause for response - '15 and 7']. Perfect! What is 15 + 7?"

(Guide students to the answer, perhaps by counting on or breaking apart numbers if needed. Write the equation and answer on the board: 15 + 7 = 22. Sarah has 22 stickers in all.)

"Let's try another one! [Refer to 'Let's Solve Together! Problem 2' slide or problem from Word Problem Worksheet]."

"There were 28 birds in a tree. 12 birds flew away. How many birds are left in the tree?"

"Who can tell me the clue words in this problem? [Pause for responses - e.g., 'flew away', 'how many are left']. Fantastic listening! And what operation does that mean we need to do? [Pause for response - 'subtraction']. You got it!"

"What numbers are we working with this time? [Pause for response - '28 and 12']. Great! So, what is 28 - 12?"

(Guide students to the answer. Write the equation and answer on the board: 28 - 12 = 16. There are 16 birds left.)

Independent Practice: Whiz Kid Challenge (3 minutes)

"You are all becoming super 'Whiz Kids' at this! Now it's your turn to show what you know. I'm handing out a Word Problem Worksheet with a few more word problems. Remember to be a detective: look for clue words, decide if you add or subtract, and show your work. Do your best! I'll be walking around to help if you have questions."

(Distribute the worksheet and circulate to assist students.)

Cool Down: One-Minute Math Reflection (2 minutes)

"Great work today, everyone! Time to wrap up our math adventure. For our cool-down, I want you to think about this: [Refer to 'Cool Down: Reflection Time' slide or prompt on board]."

"What is one important thing you learned about solving word problems today?"

"You can share your thought with a partner, or if you prefer, quickly write it down on your Cool Down sheet. This helps us remember what we've learned and how amazing our brains are!"

(Allow time for reflection and sharing.)

"Fantastic effort today, Word Problem Whiz Kids! You did a wonderful job. I can't wait to see your continued growth in solving math mysteries!"

Word Problem Whiz Kid Challenge!

Instructions: Read each word problem carefully. Circle the clue words. Decide if you need to ADD or SUBTRACT. Then, solve the problem and show your work!

Problem 1

There were 34 butterflies in the garden. 12 more butterflies flew in. How many butterflies are there in all?

Show your work:

Answer:

Problem 2

Leo had 56 toy cars. He gave 23 cars to his brother. How many toy cars does Leo have left?

Show your work:

Answer:

Problem 3

Our class collected 41 cans for the food drive. The other class collected 35 cans. What is the total number of cans collected by both classes?

Show your work:

Answer:

Problem 4

Mom baked 75 cookies. We ate 20 cookies. How many cookies are remaining?

Show your work:

Answer:

Word Problem Worksheet Answer Key

Problem 1: There were 34 butterflies in the garden. 12 more butterflies flew in. How many butterflies are there in all?

• Thought Process:
  • The clue words are "12 more" and "in all", which indicate addition.
  • We need to add the number of butterflies already there (34) to the number that flew in (12).
  • 34 + 12
• Solution:
  • 34 + 12 = 46
  • There are 46 butterflies in all.

Problem 2: Leo had 56 toy cars. He gave 23 cars to his brother. How many toy cars does Leo have left?

• Thought Process:
  • The clue words are "gave 23 cars to his brother" and "have left", which indicate subtraction.
  • We need to subtract the number of cars Leo gave away (23) from the number he started with (56).
  • 56 - 23
• Solution:
  • 56 - 23 = 33
  • Leo has 33 toy cars left.

Problem 3: Our class collected 41 cans for the food drive. The other class collected 35 cans. What is the total number of cans collected by both classes?

• Thought Process:
  • The clue word is "total number", which indicates addition.
  • We need to add the cans collected by our class (41) to the cans collected by the other class (35).
  • 41 + 35
• Solution:
  • 41 + 35 = 76
  • Both classes collected a total of 76 cans.

Problem 4: Mom baked 75 cookies. We ate 20 cookies. How many cookies are remaining?

• Thought Process:
  • The clue words are "ate 20 cookies" and "how many cookies are remaining", which indicate subtraction.
  • We need to subtract the number of cookies eaten (20) from the number Mom baked (75).
  • 75 - 20
• Solution:
  • 75 - 20 = 55
  • There are 55 cookies remaining.

Word Problem Whiz Kid Rubric

Student Name:

Date:

Instructions: Use this rubric to assess student performance on solving one-step addition and subtraction word problems within 100. Circle the score that best describes the student's work for each criterion.

Criterion 1: Identifying the Correct Operation

Criterion 2: Solving the Problem Accurately

Criterion 3: Showing Work and Explaining Reasoning (if applicable)

Overall Score:

Teacher Comments: