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Solve Two-Step Word Problems Using Addition and Subtraction within 100

Students will solve two-step word problems that require performing two separate operations (addition and/or subtraction) with numbers within 100. Students will learn to organize their work, identify intermediate unknowns, and write equations for each step.

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Solve Two-Step Word Problems Using Addition and Subtraction within 100

Grade 2 · Addition and Subtraction Word Problems · question 1 of 3

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12 rungs. A star at the top.

Sam had 8 acorns, found 7 more, then squirrels took 3. Which plan finds how many acorns he has now?

How it is taught

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A two-step story needs two operations, one after the other.

Finish the first step before you start the second.

Read it: Two steps, one after the other

Ana has 32 stickers. She gets 15 more, then gives 9 to Ben. First 32 + 15 = 47, then 47 − 9 = 38.

  1. Work the first step: 32 + 15 = 47.
  2. Carry 47 down into the second step.
  3. Work the second step: 47 − 9 = 38.

The story has two things happen, so it takes two steps.

The answer to the first step is where the second step starts.

Doing the steps in order keeps each number in its place.

Work the first step, carry its answer down, then work the second step.

Stopping at 47, the answer to the first step.

Ana still gives 9 away. Take 9 from 47: 38.

A bus has 36 riders. 11 get off, then 16 get on. How many riders are on the bus now? — 41. 36 − 11 = 25, then 25 + 16 = 41.

28 + 35, then − 19

Sam has twenty-eight marbles. He wins thirty-five more, then gives nineteen to his sister. How many marbles does Sam have now?

This story has two parts, so we'll solve it in two steps.

Step one. He starts with twenty-eight and wins thirty-five more — that means we add.

Twenty-eight plus thirty-five is sixty-three.

So now Sam has sixty-three marbles. We use that number for step two.

Step two. He gives nineteen marbles away — that means we subtract.

Sixty-three minus nineteen is forty-four.

Sam has forty-four marbles left. Two steps, one answer — nice work!

Sam's MarblesSam has 28 marbles.He wins 35 more,then gives 19 to his sister.How many marbles now?Two steps to solveStep 1 — add what he winsStep 2 — subtract what he gives awayStep 1: wins 35 more28 + 35 =?63now he has 63 →Step 2: gives 19 to his sister63 − 19 =?44ANSWER44marbles left
Grade 2 · Two operations, one story

What you see

While they climb, your page writes one true line to ask about tonight, and a short note each Sunday.

MayaGrade 3 · Mathematics
Did you know?

A chessboard has 64 squares — share them out between the 8 rows and each row holds exactly 8.

Today’s goal
1 star — one skill mastered, every rung of its ladder climbed
Climbing now
Divide within 100

An example student.

MayaGrade 3 · Mathematics

Maya earned 2 stars this week — Interpret multiplication as equal groups, which took 6 answers over 3 days before its star landed 3 days ago and Multiply by 6, 7, 8 and 9. Next up: Divide within 100.

An example week.

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