A number story tells you about things that change. Read it slowly and ask: are things being put together, or taken away, or compared?
Words like more, altogether and in all often mean add. Words like left, gave away and how many more often mean take away. Draw a quick picture if it helps.
Then write a number sentence, like 12 + 5 = 17, and check that the answer makes sense in the story.
Worked example
Ben has 12 shells. He finds 5 more. How many shells does he have now?
- He finds more, so the shells are put together.
- 12 + 5 = 17.
Answer:17 shells
Key words
- altogether
- all of them added up
- left
- what stays after some go
- how many more
- the difference between two amounts
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: 1.OA.A.1