How to use this sheet

  • Read each problem aloud together and ask the child to retell the story in their own words before solving.
  • Have the child draw a quick picture or a bar model, then write a number sentence that matches it.
  • Ask the child to say the answer as a sentence with its unit: "There are 12 apples left."

Common mistakes

  • Choosing the operation from one key word, so "more" always means add. "How many more" often means subtract. Act the story out.
  • Using every number in the problem, even one that is not needed. Ask which numbers the question is about.
  • Answering a different question, such as the total when the problem asks how many are left. Underline the question.
  • For two-step problems, stopping after the first step. Ask "Does this answer the question yet?"

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