Learning Objectives

• Solve one-step addition and subtraction word problems independently.
• Identify the important numbers and action words in a word problem.
• Represent thinking with pictures, objects, numbers, or equations.
• Check answers by rereading the problem and using a different strategy.

Materials Needed

• Word problem practice sheet
• Pencils
• Crayons
• Counters or cubes
• Mini whiteboards or scratch paper
• Teacher answer key

Support

• Provide counters, number lines, or a teacher check-in for students who need support.
• Read problems aloud to students who need language support.
• Reduce the number of problems or use smaller numbers if needed.
• Offer a sentence frame: 'I know ___ because ___.'

Challenge

• Include two-step thinking prompts such as explaining why an answer makes sense.
• Ask students to write both an equation and a matching picture.
• Have students create and solve their own word problem using the same numbers.
• Encourage students to solve a problem two different ways.

Checks for Understanding

• Observe students during work time for correct strategy use.
• Review completed work for accuracy in identifying operations and solving.
• Ask individual students to explain one answer aloud.
• Use the mid-lesson check to confirm students are rereading and self-correcting.

Closure

Invite students to share one problem they solved and explain how they knew to add or subtract. Reinforce that careful reading and checking help solve word problems correctly.