If your students look at a story problem and have no clue on what to do, then they may need more practice. They need to learn how to decide if they should add or subtract and then what to do first and next. You can teach them this and give them more practice using these story problems.

There are three problems on each page and a total of 30 problems to solve. This activity would work well if you are introducing the two step process to your kids. RTI groups, small groups, or even as homework, this activity will help your kids feel more confident with how to find the answers.

Students will need to read the story problems. Then they will think about the numbers in the problem and what operations you must do to solve those problems. They can figure it out on scrap paper or a white board. Or, on the back of each page, you can print a recording section so the students can write out the process they used to find the answer. They can show their work so the teacher can see how they are thinking. This method is called the C.U.B.E. method. Circle the numbers, Underline the question, Box in the key words, and Explain how they found the answer.

You can use this as a whole group using a document camera. The students will try to figure out the equation on a white board, then check to see if it's correct with you. As a class you can discuss the process. In some cases you will add first, then subtract, and some will subtract first, and then add.

You could also put this in a center to do independently. I've used this with small groups with an older helper (volunteer high school student, or parent volunteer).

A recording sheet and answer key are included.

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