Using objects to model real problems · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Turning a story into numbers

Mathematics · Mathematical Thinking · ages 5-6
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. 2 blocks are on the table. 3 more blocks join them. How many blocks in all?

    Answer: ______________

  2. Which number sentence tells this story: I had 6 stickers and gave away 1?

    • 6 + 1 = 7
    • 1 + 5 = 6
    • 6 - 5 = 1
    • 6 - 1 = 5

  3. There are 4 birds on a fence. 3 more birds land. How many birds are there now?

    Answer: ______________

  4. 3 stars are on a page. 2 more stars join them. Which number sentence matches this?

    • 3 + 2 = 5
    • 3 - 2 = 1
    • 2 + 2 = 4

  5. There are 6 cups. You add 6 more cups. How many cups in total?

    Answer: ______________

  6. Mia has 9 beads. She uses 4 beads for a bracelet. How many beads are left?

    • 5
    • 6
    • 4
    • 13

  7. A bus has 8 seats. 3 seats are taken. How many seats are free?

    Answer: ______________

  8. Which is the best way to show this story: 'I had 4 blocks and got 3 more'?

    • Draw 4 blocks, then draw 3 more blocks
    • Draw only 3 blocks
    • Draw 7 blocks all mixed with no groups

  9. Zoe wrote 5 + 3 = 8 for this story: 'I had 5 pencils and lost 3.' What should she fix?

    • Nothing needs fixing
    • Change it to 3 + 5 = 8
    • Change it to 5 - 3 = 2

  10. Tom has 11 marbles. He loses 4. How many does he have now?

    • 15
    • 7
    • 8
    • 6
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_fLOkq-HfPB-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Turning a story into numbers W1-mt_fLOkq-HfPB-s1

  1. 5 · Count all the blocks together: 2 and 3 more makes 5.
  2. 6 - 1 = 5 · Giving away means subtract. 6 minus 1 is 5.
  3. 7 · 4 plus 3 equals 7.
  4. 3 + 2 = 5 · 3 stars plus 2 more stars makes 3 + 2 = 5.
  5. 12 · 6 plus 6 equals 12. Doubling 6 gives 12.
  6. 5 · 9 take away 4 leaves 5.
  7. 5 · 8 minus 3 equals 5.
  8. Draw 4 blocks, then draw 3 more blocks · Showing both groups, 4 and 3, matches exactly what happened.
  9. Change it to 5 - 3 = 2 · Losing pencils means take away, so it should be 5 - 3 = 2.
  10. 7 · 11 minus 4 equals 7. Count back 4 from 11.
Worksheet · LightMySky