My Favorite Way to Teach Word Problems to Beginning Readers

Teaching math to first graders can be tricky. Combine math with the added pressures of being a new reader and that can make word problems feel daunting! Firsties are just getting their feet wet with independent reading and taking on word problems solo can feel really overwhelming to them. If you’re running into this problem in your classroom, I have the perfect solution. Today I am sharing my favorite way to teach word problems in first grade super simple!

Teach word problems to beginning readers with this activity.

My Solution to Teaching Word Problems

Part of the reason this topic can be so hard to teach is simply because first graders are new readers. As a teacher, you already know that mistakes in the reading will lead to mistakes in the math. Because of this, word problems can feel a little intimidating. Not only are the students just trying to read the sentence, but they need to process the content, remember the actual question and then solve the problem! That’s a lot for a beginning reader to handle.

So what does this mean for teaching word problems? As teachers must we do all word problem activities together as a class with the teacher reading the problem? I think we can all agree that this option just won’t work all year long. While it is great when introducing word problems or new skills, it is just not possible for all the practice students need to master word problems.

To help my students get the reading support they need, and still keep myself open for small group teaching, I designed a set of digital resources that focus on addition and subtraction word problems for use on the Boom Learning website.

These resources each contain interactive, digital boom cards that include audio! Since the word problems are read to the student, we can eliminate the stress that comes with trying to read through a lengthy word problem and instead focus on the math!

I have found these decks to be SO helpful to my firsties, especially when we need to practice words problems after a long day of reading work. It allows for my students to get the math practice they need while taking a little brain break from reading.

Benefits of Using Boom Cards

Never used Boom Cards before and curious about the benefits? The list is long my friend! Boom Cards are an interactive learning activity hosted on the Boom Learning website. You can find Boom Cards for just about every skill or concept and kids LOVE them due to the game-like format of the activities. Many come with audio, like my Addition and Subtraction Word Problems resource. The combination of interactive games and audio directions makes Boom Cards perfect for centers and other independent activities.

Boom Cards are highly engaging, no-prep, and even self-checking! Once you start using Boom Cards in your classroom you will quickly see just how useful they are. If you are new to Boom Cards, I’d recommend that you look at this full tutorial and FAQs on Boom Cards.

How to Teach Word Problems with Boom Cards

There are so many options for using these resources. Typically, I love to project one of the decks from my Addition and Subtraction Boom Cards bundle on the board for a quick, whole group activity. It’s a great way to model what students will be doing before they work independently.

I like to run through a few of the cards as a group and show my kiddos how they can click the speaker in the corner of the card and hear the word problem being read to them. Then, I model how to use the number line to “hop” to their answer. Finally, drag and drop the answer into the box and click the submit button to check their work.

Once your kiddos get the hang of this activity, you can probably skip the group intro, but with kindergarten and first grade, a little extra direction never hurts, right? And . . . if you have just a couple of minutes to fill, pull one card up for a quick, whole-class review.

The combination of audio directions and drag and drop answer submission makes this activity truly interactive and fun for our young students! And don’t forget, these provide immediate feedback which is so important as students are learning new skills.

Get Started in your Classroom

Are you ready to teach word problems with Boom Cards? I’ve made 3 different Boom Decks that cover Addition, Subtraction, and a combination of the two! Use what works best for your class or, check out the bundle to grab them all! This money-saving bundle comes with all 3 of my word problem boom card decks so your students will get even more practice. You will gain access to all 60 of the self-checking task cards for addition to 20 and subtraction within 20.

I love that my students can independently work on word problems during math centers, as part of morning work, or even at home. Your students will love solving addition and subtraction word problems with these Boom Cards!