Word Problems Made Easy
A Step-by-Step Method for Grades K–6
Word problems trip up children who are perfectly capable of doing the arithmetic. The problem is almost never the maths — it is not having a reliable method for reading and unpacking the problem. This free guide gives your child one framework that works on every word problem type from Kindergarten through Grade 6.
PDF · Instant download · Print at home
The 4-Step READ Method
One framework. Every problem type. Every grade level.
Read the whole problem
Read the entire problem before touching a pencil. Read it twice if needed. Rushing past this step causes most mistakes.
Extract every number
Underline or circle every number in the problem. Write them to the side. Note what each number represents — 12 apples, not just 12.
Ask which operation
Look for signal words. Ask: am I putting together, taking away, grouping, or splitting? This tells you whether to add, subtract, multiply, or divide.
Do the maths and check
Write the number sentence, solve it, then ask: does this answer make sense? If you started with 12 and gave some away, the answer should be less than 12.
Signal Words by Operation
These are the words inside a problem that tell your child which operation to use. Knowing them removes most of the guesswork.
Addition
in all · altogether · total · sum · combined · both · plus
Subtraction
left · remain · difference · fewer · less than · how many more · spent
Multiplication
each · every · per · groups of · rows of · times · double · triple
Division
share equally · split · divide · average · how many groups · cut into · per
What Is Inside the Guide
Word Problems Made Easy
FREE✓ The 4-step READ method — works on every problem type
✓ Signal word lists for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
✓ Worked examples at Grade K–2, 3–4, and 5–6 levels
✓ 20 mixed practice problems with full answer key
✓ Quick reference card — print and post it on the wall
PDF format · No registration · No email required · Print at home
Why Word Problems Feel Hard
It is almost never the maths — it is one of these three things.
Children who freeze usually have no framework for approaching the problem. They see words and numbers and do not know where to start.
The most common mistake at every grade level — reading the problem once, too fast, then guessing the operation.
Writing an answer without asking whether it makes sense. An answer of 0.5 apples or -3 children should trigger a re-read.
More Free Resources
Download the Free Guide
One method. Every word problem type. Grades K through 6. Print it, work through it together, and watch the freezing stop.
Free · PDF · No registration required