This app includes a wide variety of addition and subtraction word problems designed for students to listen, read, draw and solve. The format and problems were developed and authored by experienced educator Anne Gardner (Nationally Board Certified in the U.S. in Literacy - biography below). The audio narration was performed by Brad Mielke, a professional voice over artist with 18 years of experience.

This free version includes the first level. You can purchase the full version (which includes the second level) through an in-app purchase.

This app is designed to be used in a classroom or home setting. The app is designed to be used independently but can also work well where a teacher or family member is available to work through problems and discuss problem-solving strategies with the student(s). These word problems are designed with the rigor of the Common Core in mind and support the following standards:

CCSS.Math.Content.K.OA.A.2 Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem.

CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1 Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

The app includes two levels: questions that go up to 10 and questions that go up to 20.

Each question includes the following:
• A space to sketch the problem and write the full equation.
• A ten frame and number path for students to show their work.
• An answer keyboard.

After successfully choosing the answer, the correct equation is briefly shown on the screen in large format to help reinforce the full equation. The app tracks how many questions out of 10 the students answer correctly on their first attempt.

To keep kids motivated, this app includes an optional bonus game for every 10 questions answered correctly. All of these games (balloon pop, feed the frog, draw a picture, launch the planes) are 60 seconds long and are meant to serve as a spaced break from the math word problems.

We’d love to hear how you are using the app in the classroom and/or home. We are always listening! contact@tapfun.com Thank you.

More About Anne Gardner:

Anne Gardner is a Response to Intervention Teacher in the lovely village of Newark Valley, New York. She earned a Master of Science in Early Education from Binghamton University. After working as a First Grade teacher for ten years, Anne was awarded National Board Certification in the field of Literacy. She has worked with students in Preschool, Kindergarten, First, Second, Third and Fourth grades. Anne strives to help each student become excited about learning as he/she develops strong reading comprehension and problem solving skills.

The Number Path Explained

This app uses a number path instead of a number line. Research has shown that number lines,which use a model of length,can be confusing for young children and often lead to the following common errors: Some children start their count with zero and are off by one. Some students count the space between the numbers. When they try to find the answer, their finger is between two numbers so they are not sure which number to choose.

A number path is a counting model. Each number is represented within a rectangle and the rectangles can be clearly counted. Further, a number path provides a more supportive model of numbers, which is important as we want models that consistently help students build confidence and accurately solve problems. Therefore, it is often best for students to use number paths, instead of number lines, until 2nd grade (Fuson, et.al., 2009).