Draw a quick sketch or a number line with the lengths marked. Decide if the story joins lengths or finds the difference, then add or subtract.
lengthhow long something is
metera unit of length, about a big step
distancehow far from one place to another
number linea line with numbers at equal spaces
Watch for: Subtracting when the story joins two parts of a path. Mixing units, like adding meters and centimeters. Leaving off the unit: 64 meters, not just 64.
At home: Ask length questions on a walk: it's 30 steps to the corner and 25 more to the park. How far in all?
Sample sheet and answer key
Freddie's Frog Pond
Grade 2 · Length story problems · 2.MD.B.5
NameDate
Freddie the frog lives in a busy pond full of bugs, lily pads and friends. Solve each problem to help Freddie out!
Length stories
Draw a picture or a number line to help.
1
Moss has a ribbon 61 centimeters long and ties on another 24 centimeters. How long is the ribbon now?
centimeters
2
A rope is 21 feet long. Moss cuts off 10 feet. How long is the rope now?
feet
3
A path is 25 feet to the pond and 6 feet more to the bridge. How far is the bridge?
feet
4
Fern jumped 58 inches. Pip jumped 42 inches. How much farther did Fern jump?
inches
5
Pip has a ribbon 46 inches long and ties on another 29 inches. How long is the ribbon now?
inches
Sheet
Freddie's Frog Pond
Grade 2 · Length story problems · 2.MD.B.5
Answer key
Freddie the frog lives in a busy pond full of bugs, lily pads and friends. Solve each problem to help Freddie out!
Length stories
Draw a picture or a number line to help.
1
Moss has a ribbon 61 centimeters long and ties on another 24 centimeters. How long is the ribbon now?
61 + 24 = 85
85centimeters
2
A rope is 21 feet long. Moss cuts off 10 feet. How long is the rope now?
21 − 10 = 11
11feet
3
A path is 25 feet to the pond and 6 feet more to the bridge. How far is the bridge?
25 + 6 = 31
31feet
4
Fern jumped 58 inches. Pip jumped 42 inches. How much farther did Fern jump?
58 − 42 = 16
16inches
5
Pip has a ribbon 46 inches long and ties on another 29 inches. How long is the ribbon now?
46 + 29 = 75
75inches
Answer key
New problems every time, three levels (gentle, core and stretch), themes to pick from, a second page if you want one. Each sheet comes with an answer key and a one-page guide for grown-ups.
