Read the story and ask what is missing: the start, the change or the total. Write a number sentence with a box for it, solve, then read the story again with the answer.
sumthe answer to +
differencethe answer to −
unknownthe number you're finding
equationa number sentence with an equals sign
Watch for: Adding because the story says “more,” when it asks how many were given (89 − 69). Stopping after the first step of a two-step story. Leaving off the unit: 20 water bugs, not just 20.
At home: Make up stories with things at hand: you had 45 stickers and now have 60. How many did you get? Let your child act it out or draw it.
Sample sheet and answer key
Freddie's Frog Pond
Grade 2 · Story problems within 100 · 2.OA.A.1
NameDate
Freddie the frog lives in a busy pond full of bugs, lily pads and friends. Solve each problem to help Freddie out!
Story problems
Show how you know. Some take two steps.
1
Moss has 47 flies. Moss gives 13 to Pip. How many flies does Moss have left?
flies
2
Pip found 65 water bugs in the morning and 17 in the afternoon. How many water bugs did Pip find in all?
water bugs
3
Toby has 7 snails. Moss gives Toby some more. Now Toby has 12. How many snails did Moss give?
snails
4
Moss has 50 pebbles. Pip gives Moss 18 more. Then Moss gives 14 to Toby. How many pebbles does Moss have now?
pebbles
5
Fern has 54 lily flowers. Pip has 48 fewer than Fern. How many lily flowers does Pip have?
lily flowers
Sheet
Freddie's Frog Pond
Grade 2 · Story problems within 100 · 2.OA.A.1
Answer key
Freddie the frog lives in a busy pond full of bugs, lily pads and friends. Solve each problem to help Freddie out!
Story problems
Show how you know. Some take two steps.
1
Moss has 47 flies. Moss gives 13 to Pip. How many flies does Moss have left?
47 − 13 = 34
34flies
2
Pip found 65 water bugs in the morning and 17 in the afternoon. How many water bugs did Pip find in all?
65 + 17 = 82
82water bugs
3
Toby has 7 snails. Moss gives Toby some more. Now Toby has 12. How many snails did Moss give?
7 + 5 = 12
5snails
4
Moss has 50 pebbles. Pip gives Moss 18 more. Then Moss gives 14 to Toby. How many pebbles does Moss have now?
50 + 18 = 68, then 68 − 14 = 54
54pebbles
5
Fern has 54 lily flowers. Pip has 48 fewer than Fern. How many lily flowers does Pip have?
54 − 48 = 6
6lily flowers
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.
