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2nd Grade Word Problems Resources

27 2nd grade word problems resources: 21 worksheets, 3 Common Core Lessons and 3 activities. How teachers use these

2nd Grade Word Problems Resources

27 2nd grade word problems resources: 21 worksheets, 3 Common Core Lessons and 3 activities. How teachers use these

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeAddition and Subtraction Word Problems Worksheet

This addition and subtraction word problems worksheet gives 2nd graders four real-world number stories to solve within 100. It includes a complete answer key, making it perfect for no-prep math practice at home or in the classroom.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeWord Problems With 3 Numbers Worksheet

This Word Problems With 3 Numbers Worksheet asks 2nd graders to draw a picture and then add three addends inside real stories. An answer key is included, so checking work takes only seconds.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeSolving Money Word Problems Worksheet

This solving money word problems worksheet gives 2nd graders real-world practice counting coins, adding money, and making change. Includes a complete answer key—an easy, no-prep way to build money math confidence.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeSubtraction Word Problem Solving Worksheet

This subtraction word problem solving worksheet gives 2nd graders five garden stories to solve by subtracting two-digit numbers. An answer key is included for easy checking.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeAdd and Subtract 10 and 100 Word Problems Worksheet

Practice this add and subtract 10 and 100 word problems worksheet with three number stories and a 10 more, 10 less, 100 more, 100 less chart. Built for 2nd Grade with an answer key included, so mental math clicks fast.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeWord Problems Solving Worksheet

This Word Problems Solving Worksheet gives 2nd graders four garden-themed addition and subtraction stories, with a bubble to mark the operation they chose. Answer key included, so checking work takes seconds.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeCounting Coins Word Problems Worksheet

The Counting Coins Word Problems Worksheet gives 2nd Grade students two coin collections to total and three money word problems with work space and an answer key, so counting change becomes automatic.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeRound to the Nearest Ten Word Problems Worksheet

This round to the nearest ten word problems worksheet gives 3rd graders four problems to solve and round, plus one written explanation. An answer key is included, so it prints and goes.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeCounting Money Word Problems Worksheet

This Counting Money Word Problems Worksheet has 2nd grade students total two coin collections and then solve three coin word problems, with room to show their work and a full answer key.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeMultiplication Word Problem Solving Worksheet

Practice early multiplication with this multiplication word problem solving worksheet for 2nd grade. Kids draw equal groups and write adding sentences, and an answer key is included for fast checking.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeSubtraction Problem Solving Worksheet

This subtraction problem solving worksheet gives 2nd grade students five real-life math stories to solve with two-digit subtraction within 100. An answer key is included for quick, easy checking.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeAdding and Subtracting Number Stories Worksheet

Adding and Subtracting Number Stories Worksheet gives 2nd grade students four number stories to read, a sign box to choose add or subtract, and a box for each answer. An answer key is included.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeNumber Stories Adding and Subtracting Worksheet

This Number Stories Adding and Subtracting Worksheet gives 2nd Grade students four two-digit word problems to read, label with the right sign, and solve. An answer key is included.

Common Core Lesson
Common Core Lesson2nd Grade2.OA.1 Second Grade Common Core Lesson

In this 2.OA.1 Second Grade Common Core Lesson, students add and subtract within 100 to solve one and two step word problems using different strategies.

Activity
Activity2nd GradeBarnyard Math Word Problems Activity

This barnyard math word problems activity gives 1st-2nd grade students farm word problem cards, a draw-it sheet and a tic-tac-toe game. An answer key is included.

Activity
Activity2nd GradeLet's Go Shopping Money Word Problems Activity

This Let's Go Shopping Money Word Problems Activity lets 2nd and 3rd Grade students solve toy store word problems with coins and bills, with an answer key included, so money skills feel real.

Activity
Activity2nd GradeOcean Math Word Problems Activity

This ocean math word problems activity for Kindergarten to 2nd grade uses 12 self-checking task cards to practice adding and taking away within 8. Answer key included.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeWord Problems Worksheet

This Word Problems Worksheet gives 2nd Grade students five subtraction stories to read, solve, and answer with the correct unit. An answer key is included, so it is ready for morning work or a math center.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeSolving Subtraction Word Problem Worksheet

This solving subtraction word problem worksheet gives 2nd graders five fall fair stories to subtract within 100. An answer key is included, so checking each story is quick and easy.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeBlocks Multiplication Worksheet

This blocks multiplication worksheet helps 2nd grade students draw arrays of toy blocks for four short stories and complete a rows-of number sentence. An answer key is included for easy checking.

From our teachers' playbook

Read it, picture it, solve it

What do 2nd graders learn about word problems?

Second graders solve one- and two-step word problems with adding and subtracting within 100. They learn that a story can hide the unknown in different spots: at the end, in the middle or even at the start, like ? + 18 = 45. They use drawings and equations to show their thinking, and they solve money problems with dollars and coins. They also learn to read the whole problem before choosing an operation, instead of hunting for key words. The click comes when a child draws a picture of the problem and suddenly sees exactly what to do!

Our favorite ways to teach word problems in 2nd grade

Word problems are reading and math at the same time. These moves help with both.

Think aloud the whole way

Read one problem out loud and say what you are thinking: "Who is in the story? What do we know? What are we trying to find?" Then solve it together. Modeling the questions gives kids a routine for any new problem.

Why it works: showing first, practicing together, then letting kids try alone is the "gradual release" model teachers have relied on for decades (Pearson and Gallagher, 1983).

2.OA.1 Second Grade Common Core LessonTry it with2.OA.1 Second Grade Common Core LessonCommon Core LessonsOpen it →

Draw the story

Before any numbers, have kids sketch the problem with simple shapes or a bar model. "Maya had 34 stickers and gave away some." The picture shows whether the story is joining or taking apart, which tells them what to do next.

Why it works: pairing a picture with each word gives kids two ways to remember it, a well-tested principle of how people learn (Mayer, 2009).

Adding and Subtracting Number Stories WorksheetTry it withAdding and Subtracting Number Stories WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →

Explain it to a partner

After solving, partners take turns explaining their answer and how they know it is right. If they disagree, they go back to the story. Talking it through catches mistakes and builds math vocabulary.

Why it works: using clear, consistent math words out loud is one of the U.S. Department of Education's recommendations for elementary math.

Word Problems With 3 Numbers WorksheetTry it withWord Problems With 3 Numbers WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →

Questions parents and teachers ask about 2nd grade word problems

What word problems do 2nd graders solve?

Second graders solve one- and two-step addition and subtraction word problems within 100, including money problems. The unknown number can be at the start, middle or end of the problem.

How do I help my child with word problems?

Have your child read the problem twice, then draw a picture of what is happening. Ask "What do we know? What are we trying to find?" before picking a math operation.

Should kids look for key words in word problems?

Key words can trick kids. "How many more" can mean adding or subtracting depending on the story. It is better to picture what is happening and decide from there.

What is a two-step word problem?

A two-step word problem takes two calculations to solve. For example, "Sam had 20 cards, got 8 more and gave away 5" needs adding and then subtracting.