Two-step addition and subtraction problems
Solve addition and subtraction two-step problems in contexts, deciding which operations and methods to use and why
Lesson
Set out your lesson
Plan and solve a two-step addition or subtraction problem. Explain each operation and choose a suitable mental or written method.
Before teaching
Use this short check, then start teaching.
Ask what total and remaining mean. Ask for 900 − 400 (500) and ask the learner to set out 1,246 + 578. Expect 1,824. Use the earlier column lesson if written work is not secure. Read the story aloud if reading is the barrier and record that support.
Check readiness directly. Prerequisite availability is not attainment.
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Teaching approaches
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1 approach
Plan and solve a two-step addition or subtraction problem. Explain each operation and choose a suitable mental or written method.
Plan and solve a two-step addition or subtraction problem. Explain each operation and choose a suitable mental or written method.
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Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
Illustrative Mathematics · Practice link — not the full lesson
The Class Trip
Before you open · source notes
A class-trip story needs two steps of addition or subtraction. Use it for two-step problems, not every multiplication word problem.
Free, no sign-in. A teacher solution is on the same page, so use the student view with your child.
Before you openAsk the learner to name both steps and the final answer for the trip story.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public Illustrative Mathematics task page. The .html address responds HTTP 308 to this URL. An anonymous GET of this URL on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt. Where a teacher solution is present, it is on the same page as the student task; this check did not find a separate locked student view. An adult can use the student view section and should not read a solution aloud. Advertising was not observed in the fetched HTML text; that is not a browser, device, or ad-free guarantee. This is a paper or discussion task, not an automatically marked interactive game. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. Diagrams on the page use missing or filename-only alt text, so they are not an accessible image equivalent. Accessibility still depends on an adult describing the picture.
Illustrative Mathematics. “The Class Trip.” Licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. External task; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute it.
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — link only
Check understanding
- Identify the two steps needed to solve a contextual problem
- Choose between mental and written methods for each step based on the numbers
- Explain why the chosen operations and methods are appropriate
“If your child reads a word problem with two steps — like working out change from a shopping trip with two items — can they plan which calculations to do and in what order?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Procedural
- Subject
- Mathematics
- Domain
- Addition & Subtraction
- Age range
- Ages 8–10
Standards