How to Teach Word Problems (Without the Meltdown)
Word problems stump kids who can do the arithmetic. Teach them the CUBES method, highlight the operation, and use drawings to visualise.
A child who can solve 47 - 19 in ten seconds and then stares helplessly at "Emma had 47 apples and gave Sam 19, how many does she have left?" is one of the most common maths phenomena in primary school. The arithmetic is identical. The problem is reading.
Word problems fail for three reasons: the child isn't noticing the operation word (left, altogether, more than), they aren't visualising the situation, or they can't hold the whole problem in their head while doing the sum. Each of these has a fix.
The CUBES method (Circle numbers, Underline question, Box operation words, Evaluate, Solve) works well from Year 2 upwards. Below that age, drawing the problem is the best tool — have the child sketch apples and crossed-out apples until the structure becomes visible. Once they can sketch a word problem, the sum is usually trivial.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do kids hate word problems?+
Because they combine reading comprehension, problem identification, and arithmetic in one task — any of those can fail. Most kids who hate word problems can do each part individually.
What's the CUBES method?+
Circle numbers, Underline the question, Box operation keywords, Evaluate which operation, Solve. A structured approach for Year 2+ that prevents panic reading.
Should children draw word problems?+
Yes, especially in Years 1 to 3. Sketching makes the structure visible and turns the word problem into a visible sum.
What are common operation keywords?+
Addition: altogether, total, sum, combined. Subtraction: left, fewer, difference, take away. Multiplication: groups of, times, each. Division: share, split, per, each.