Many children can master computation skills like addition and subtraction, but really struggle with story problems. These are the problems in which the child is given a scenario and asked to determine the outcome of the situation. Sometimes the problem is that the student is a poor reader and does not fully understand the situation in the story, but more often than not the child does not know which operation to perform. Please see below for a selection of Leveled Lessons for Below Level (basic), and/or On Level (median), and/or Above Level (competent) readers.

Make a large chart for your classroom and write ADD at the top of one column and SUBTRACT at the top of the other. Each time your class encounters story problems, look for clue words that tell if they should add or subtract and add those to the chart. Soon students will either know when to do which operation, or at least will be able to refer to the chart to find out. Some words on the ADD side will include TOTAL, IN ALL, ALL TOGETHER. On the SUBTRACT side you should list LESS THAN, STILL LEFT, and DIFFERENCE.