Explain Your Thinking Word Problems
Use these problems to discuss reasoning as well as answers.
Teaching notes for parents and teachers
How to teach it
Have the student explain what the starting amount and the amount left represent. Accept a drawing or spoken explanation before asking for a written one.
Example to work through together
Use the model below as you explain the example. Have your student point to the quantities as you discuss them.
Starting amount: 15 cookies.
Amount left: 6 cookies.
Amount used: unknown.
15 − 6 = 9
One explanation: “The used cookies and the six left make the starting fifteen. I remove the six left to find the nine used.”
Ask your student
Why does this operation find the amount used?
If your student needs help
If the explanation only says to subtract, ask what each number in the subtraction represents.
Choosing and using the worksheet
This set contains four one-step subtraction stories with numbers below twenty. The answer key includes an example explanation for each. Other mathematically valid explanations should be accepted; the printed wording is not a script children must copy.
Make a practice set
Select the worksheet, answer key, or both. When both are selected, the answer key prints after the questions. Keep it separate if you want your student to work independently.
After your student finishes
Choose one answer and ask the child to rebuild the starting collection by joining the amount used and the amount left. Use that check to strengthen an incomplete explanation rather than asking for a longer sentence alone.
Word problemsFind the Missing Change Word Problems
Use the starting amount and what remains to find how many cents were spent.
6 problems · Answer key included
Word problemsBar Model Word Problems
Use a whole-and-parts diagram to find the total, the starting amount, or the amount used.
4 problems · Answer key included
Word problemsError Analysis Word Problems: Find and Fix the Mistake
Correct a friend who chooses addition just because more items arrive.
4 problems · Answer key included
More about subtraction · Grade 1 worksheets
Grade 1 selected skill connection: 1.OA.A.1 (selected subtraction stories and reasoning support). See the Common Core standards for this grade. This worksheet does not cover every requirement in the standard.