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Two-step stories: 3rd grade math

Two-step problems, all four operations. A free 3rd grade lesson plan, a question set with answers and a printable sheet with its key. Copy it and make it yours.

Lesson plan

Goal

  • Students can do this: two-step problems, all four operations.

Teach (10 min)

  • Do the first step, then use that answer for the second.
  • Work one example on the board while students say each step aloud, then do one together.

Practise (15 min)

  • Students work the printable sheet in pairs, then alone.
  • Or practise it as a game with no sign-up: https://peabody.kids/math/numsense.g3_two?lesson=3-numsense-two-1&at=3

Exit ticket (5 min)

  • Three questions on a slip:
  • 1. There are 7 boxes with 9 muffins in each. Then 5 muffins are used. How many muffins are left?
  • 2. There are 4 bags with 4 apples in each. Then 4 more apples are added. How many apples are there in all?
  • 3. There are 3 shelves with 3 books in each. Then 8 books are used. How many books are left?

Question set

10 questions that read in words, easiest first. Questions that need a picture are on the printable sheet below.

  1. There are 7 boxes with 9 muffins in each. Then 5 muffins are used. How many muffins are left?
  2. There are 4 bags with 4 apples in each. Then 4 more apples are added. How many apples are there in all?
  3. There are 3 shelves with 3 books in each. Then 8 books are used. How many books are left?
  4. There are 6 shelves with 7 books in each. Then 3 books are used. How many books are left?
  5. There are 6 shelves with 6 books in each. Then 7 books are used. How many books are left?
  6. There are 6 vases with 6 flowers in each. Then 2 more flowers are added. How many flowers are there in all?
  7. There are 3 packs with 2 pencils in each. Then 3 pencils are used. How many pencils are left?
  8. There are 5 shelves with 6 books in each. Then 6 books are used. How many books are left?
  9. 5 plates are on one table and 6 plates are on another table. Each plate holds 6 cookies. How many cookies are there in all?
  10. 2 boxes are on one table and 2 boxes are on another table. Each box holds 7 muffins. How many muffins are there in all?
Answers
  1. 58
  2. 20
  3. 1
  4. 39
  5. 29
  6. 38
  7. 3
  8. 24
  9. 66
  10. 28

Printable sheet

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

Two-step stories (3rd grade)

  1. There are 9 packs with 5 pencils in each. Then 3 pencils are used. How many pencils are left?
  2. There are 5 packs with 9 pencils in each. Then 2 pencils are used. How many pencils are left?
  3. There are 4 plates with 5 cookies in each. Then 2 cookies are used. How many cookies are left?
  4. There are 4 boxes with 9 muffins in each. Then 2 more muffins are added. How many muffins are there in all?
  5. There are 8 packs with 8 pencils in each. Then 3 more pencils are added. How many pencils are there in all?
  6. There are 4 shelves with 4 books in each. Then 3 books are used. How many books are left?
  7. There are 5 plates with 8 cookies in each. Then 5 cookies are used. How many cookies are left?
  8. There are 8 boxes with 8 muffins in each. Then 4 more muffins are added. How many muffins are there in all?
  9. 2 shelves are on one table and 5 shelves are on another table. Each shelf holds 7 books. How many books are there in all?
  10. There are 9 bags with 9 apples in each. Then 9 apples are used. How many apples are left?
  11. There are 6 bags with 5 apples in each. Then 2 more apples are added. How many apples are there in all?
  12. 28 cookies are shared equally among 4 plates. Then 3 more cookies are put in one plate. How many cookies are in that plate now?
Key
  1. 42
  2. 43
  3. 18
  4. 38
  5. 67
  6. 13
  7. 35
  8. 68
  9. 49
  10. 72
  11. 32
  12. 10

Written by Peabody from its own skill pages. Free, no ads, no sign-in. Children can practise this on Peabody. More from teachers: teacher-shared resources.