Multi-Step Word Problems | Parent Activity

Dear Families,

Your child is learning to solve word problems that take more than one step. This is an important skill because real-life math problems rarely involve just one operation! These activities help your child practice thinking through problems step by step.

Why This Matters for the FAST Test

The Florida FAST assessment includes many multi-step word problems. Students need to read carefully, identify what they need to find, and choose the right operations. Students who rush or only look for "keywords" often make mistakes. These activities build careful, step-by-step thinking.

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Activity 1: Grocery Store Math

Create word problems from shopping trips

While shopping (or using a receipt), create a two-step problem for your child.
Start with real items and prices:
- "We bought 3 boxes of cereal at $4 each. We also bought milk for $3. How much did we spend?"
- "We have $20. Apples cost $6 and oranges cost $8. How much money will we have left?"
Have your child explain their thinking: "What do I need to find first?"
Check if the answer is reasonable: "Does it make sense that we spent $15?"

Tip:

Let your child create a problem for YOU to solve! They'll learn by thinking about what makes a good problem.

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Activity 2: Problem Detective

Break problems into steps together

Read a word problem together (from homework or make one up).
Play detective with these questions:
- "What is the story about?" (Understanding context)
- "What do we need to find?" (Identifying the question)
- "What do we know?" (Finding the numbers)
- "What do we need to find FIRST?" (Planning steps)
Write "Step 1" and "Step 2" before solving.
After solving, ask: "Does this answer make sense?"

Example Problem:

"A baker makes 4 trays of 12 muffins. She sells 25 muffins. How many are left?"

Detective Questions: First find total (4 × 12 = 48), then subtract sold (48 - 25 = 23).

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Activity 3: Cooking Challenge

Use recipes for real-world word problems

While cooking or baking, create math challenges:
- "The recipe makes 12 cookies. We want to make 3 batches. Then we'll give 10 to grandma. How many will we have left?"
- "We need 2 cups of flour per batch. We're making 4 batches. The bag has 10 cups. How many cups will be left?"
Have your child figure out each step before measuring ingredients.
Talk about the operations: "Why did you multiply? Why subtract?"

Tip:

Cooking naturally involves equal groups (multiplication) and remaining amounts (subtraction) - perfect for multi-step problems!

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Activity 4: Problem Writer

Let your child create their own word problems

Give your child two numbers and two operations. Example: 5, 7, multiplication, and subtraction.
Challenge them to write a story problem using those numbers and operations.
Have them solve their own problem to make sure it works.
Trade! You write a problem for them, they write one for you.

Sample Problem Your Child Might Create:

"I have 5 bags with 7 candies each. I eat 10 candies. How many are left?" (5 × 7 = 35, then 35 - 10 = 25)

Questions to Ask Your Child

"What is this problem really asking you to find?"
"What do you need to figure out FIRST before you can answer?"
"How do you know which operation to use?"
"Does your answer make sense? Is it too big? Too small?"
"Can you draw a picture to show what's happening in this problem?"

Resumen en Espanol

Problemas de varios pasos: Su hijo esta aprendiendo a resolver problemas que requieren mas de una operacion matematica (suma, resta, multiplicacion o division).

Actividades en casa:

Matematicas en la tienda: Cree problemas con precios reales mientras compran.
Detective de problemas: Haga preguntas como "¿Que necesitamos encontrar primero?"
Matematicas en la cocina: Use recetas para crear problemas de multiplicacion y resta.
Crear problemas: Deje que su hijo escriba sus propios problemas para usted.

Pregunta clave: "¿Tiene sentido tu respuesta? ¿Es muy grande o muy pequena?"

Home Activity: Multi-Step Word Problems