Build your students' confidence in solving word problems with our interactive and engaging Addition & Subtraction Word Problem Stories! This flexible resource is designed to help students deepen their understanding of how addition and subtraction relate to real-world contexts. Through hands-on matching and memory games, learners will practise connecting number sentences, visual representations, and mathematical language - building a strong foundation for problem-solving success.

The resource includes three types of cards: story cards, picture cards, and number sentence cards. Students can match all three cards to reinforce the relationship between the language, the visual model, and the mathematical equation. For emerging readers, you can adapt the activity by using just the picture and number sentence cards. The cards can also be used in a fun memory game format - students take turns flipping over cards to try and find matching pairs or sets.

Addition & Subtraction Word Problem Stories encourages mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, and flexible thinking. It also supports language development as students read and interpret mathematical language in the story cards. To extend the activity, students can even create their own picture card to match a given story or number sentence, promoting creativity and deeper understanding. This resource is perfect for maths rotations, small group instruction, or as an independent learning task.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Develop fluency with addition and subtraction facts
• ✅ Strengthen understanding of mathematical language in word problems
• ✅ Build connections between number sentences, visual representations, and problem contexts
• ✅ Promote flexible thinking and strategic reasoning
• ✅ Foster engagement and collaboration through hands-on learning

What’s Included:

• Story cards featuring addition and subtraction word problems
• Picture cards to represent each story visually
• Number sentence cards matching each story and picture
• Teacher notes with tips for classroom use and differentiation

Materials Needed:

• Printed and laminated story, picture, and number sentence cards
• Storage container or zip-lock bag for organising cards
• Optional: blank cards or paper for students to create their own picture cards

How to Use:

1. Print and laminate the story, picture, and number sentence cards.
2. Introduce the activity by modelling how to match the three types of cards together.
3. Provide students with a set of cards and choose one of the following activities:
4. - Matching game: students match all three cards (story, picture, number sentence) to form complete sets.
5. - Memory game: place picture and number sentence cards face down. Students take turns flipping two cards to try and find a match.
6. - Extension activity: provide a story or number sentence card and have students create their own picture card to match.
7. Encourage students to explain their thinking and strategies as they play.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during maths rotations to provide targeted practise with word problems
• 💡 Incorporate into small group lessons to model problem-solving strategies and mathematical language
• 💡 Offer as an independent task for early finishers or students needing additional practise with problem solving
• 💡 Pair students to encourage discussion and collaborative reasoning while matching cards
• 💡 Use student-created picture cards as a fun extension activity and to personalise learning

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Use the picture and number sentence cards on their own for younger learners or emerging readers
• 💛 Model how to break down and visualise word problems using the story and picture cards
• 💛 Encourage students to verbalise their thinking and strategies as they complete each match
• 💛 Regularly revisit the activity to build confidence and fluency with addition and subtraction problem solving

Addition & Subtraction Word Problem Stories is a fun, flexible, and highly effective resource for building confidence and fluency in solving word problems. The hands-on matching and memory format helps students make meaningful connections between numbers, language, and visual models - supporting deep mathematical understanding!