Lesson Plan
Word Problem Wizards Lesson Plan
Students will learn to translate one-step word problems into mathematical equations and accurately solve them using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.
This lesson builds real-world problem-solving skills by connecting arithmetic operations to everyday scenarios, boosting students’ confidence and critical thinking.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Model, guide, and let students practice solving word problems.
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Print copies of Equation Translation Guide Handout, One-Step Word Problem Practice Worksheet, and Exit Ticket: Quick Check.
- Upload or open the Interactive Whiteboard Slides.
- Review slide notes and answer keys to familiarize yourself with problem setups.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Display real-life scenarios (shopping, sharing cookies) on the Interactive Whiteboard Slides.
- Ask students what information they notice and which operation might apply.
- Explain that today they’ll translate words into equations and solve.
Step 2
Guided Practice
15 minutes
- Model two one-step problems on the board: read, underline key information, write an equation, and solve.
- Distribute the Equation Translation Guide Handout and review common keywords (e.g., "total," "difference").
- Work through three problems from the One-Step Word Problem Practice Worksheet together, prompting volunteers for each step.
Step 3
Independent Practice
7 minutes
- Students complete the remaining problems on the One-Step Word Problem Practice Worksheet individually or in pairs.
- Circulate to offer support and check for correct equation setup and computation.
Step 4
Exit Ticket Check
3 minutes
- Distribute the Exit Ticket: Quick Check.
- Students solve one new one-step word problem and submit before leaving.
- Quickly review responses to gauge understanding and plan follow-up.
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Slide Deck
Word Problem Wizards
Solving one-step word problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Welcome students! Today we’re Word Problem Wizards. We’ll learn to translate one-step word problems into equations and solve them. Point out the lesson objective: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division in real life.
Real-Life Word Problems
- Shopping for school supplies:
• Mia buys 8 notebooks and then buys 5 more. How many notebooks does she have? - Sharing Cookies:
• 24 cookies are shared equally among 4 friends. How many cookies does each friend get?
Display these scenarios. Ask: What numbers do you see? What operation might you need? Encourage volunteers to explain their thinking.
Key Words and Clues
Addition: total, sum, combined, in all
Subtraction: difference, left, fewer, remain
Multiplication: product, times, multiplied
Division: quotient, shared, per, equally
Distribute the Equation Translation Guide Handout. Review each bullet and invite students to call out examples from their own experiences.
Guided Example 1: Subtraction
Problem: Emma had 27 stickers. She gave away 9 stickers. How many stickers does she have now?
• Underline: 27 (start), 9 (gave away)
• Equation: 27 – 9 = 18
• Solution: 18 stickers
Model this problem step by step: Read, underline key numbers and words, write the equation, solve, and check your work.
Guided Example 2: Division
Problem: A baker bakes 24 muffins and puts them equally into 6 boxes. How many muffins per box?
• Underline: 24 (total), 6 (boxes)
• Equation: 24 ÷ 6 = 4
• Solution: 4 muffins
Again, demonstrate each step aloud and check student understanding at each point.
Independent Practice
Use the One-Step Word Problem Practice Worksheet to solve problems 4–7. Work individually or in pairs.
Ask students to get their One-Step Word Problem Practice Worksheet. Remind them: underline, write your equation, solve, then check.
Exit Ticket
Solve this one-step word problem on your Exit Ticket:
“Jamal reads 45 pages tonight. Tomorrow he plans to read 15 more pages. How many pages will he have read in all?”
Distribute the Exit Ticket. Ask students to write their name, solve the problem on their ticket, and hand it in before leaving.
Worksheet
One-Step Word Problem Practice Worksheet
Name: ___________________________ Date: ____________
Instructions: Read each problem carefully. Underline or circle key numbers and words, write the matching equation, then solve.
- Sarah collects 45 seashells at the beach. Later, she finds 28 more. How many seashells does Sarah have in all?
Write the equation:
Solve and find the answer:
- A library had 120 books on the shelf. During the weekend, 35 books were checked out. How many books remain on the shelf?
Write the equation:
Solve and find the answer:
- Each box of crayons contains 24 crayons. Olivia buys 6 boxes for her class. How many crayons does she have altogether?
Write the equation:
Solve and find the answer:
- A baker bakes 56 muffins and arranges them equally into 8 trays. How many muffins are on each tray?
Write the equation:
Solve and find the answer:
- Mike reads 12 pages of his book every day for 7 days. How many pages does he read in total?
Write the equation:
Solve and find the answer:
- A farmer had 150 apples. He sold 47 at the market. How many apples are left on the farm?
Write the equation:
Solve and find the answer:
- A toy factory produces 15 cars each hour. How many cars will it produce in 9 hours?
Write the equation:
Solve and find the answer:
Worksheet
Equation Translation Guide Handout
Use this handout to recognize key words in word problems and write the correct equation. Underline or circle the key words in each phrase, then write the matching operation symbol and equation.
Addition (+)
Keywords: total, sum, combined, in all, plus, add
When you see these words, add the numbers together.
Example:
“Liam has 14 pencils and finds 9 more. How many pencils does he have in all?”
• Key words: has 14 and finds 9 more → plus
Write the equation: 14 + 9 = ______
Subtraction (–)
Keywords: difference, left, fewer than, remain, minus, gave away
These words tell you to subtract one number from another.
Example:
“Sofia bought 30 stickers and gave away 12 to her friends. How many stickers remain?”
• Key words: bought 30 and gave away 12 → minus
Write the equation: 30 – 12 = ______
Multiplication (×)
Keywords: product, times, multiplied by, each, per
Use multiplication when items are grouped in equal sets.
Example:
“Each pack has 6 markers. Noah buys 4 packs. How many markers does he have?”
• Key words: each pack of 6 and 4 packs → times
Write the equation: 6 × 4 = ______
Division (÷)
Keywords: quotient, shared, equally, split, per
Division means splitting a total into equal parts.
Example:
“There are 24 cupcakes shared equally among 6 children. How many cupcakes does each child get?”
• Key words: 24 and shared equally among 6 → ÷
Write the equation: 24 ÷ 6 = ______
Practice: Translate to Equations
Underline or circle the key words, then write an equation for each phrase. Solve if you have time.
- “A gardener plants 18 flowers and then plants 7 more. How many flowers are in the garden?”
Equation: _______________________________________________________
- “A treasure chest has 50 gold coins. Pirates take 15 coins. How many coins are left?”
Equation: _______________________________________________________
- “A baker arranges 5 rows of 8 doughnuts each. How many doughnuts does he have?”
Equation: _______________________________________________________
- “72 candies are shared equally into 9 bags. How many candies per bag?”
Equation: _______________________________________________________
Keep this guide nearby when you work on word problems to help you choose the correct operation and write your equation with confidence!
Worksheet
Exit Ticket: Quick Check
Name: ________________________ Date: ____________
Solve the following one-step word problem:
“Jamal reads 45 pages tonight. Tomorrow he plans to read 15 more pages. How many pages will he have read in all?”
Write the equation:
Solve and find the answer: