Grade 1 Math Task Cards | Word Problems, Number Bonds, Which Is Wrong?

Students struggling to make sense of word problems?

This Grade 1 math center helps students slow down, compare representations, and decide which one is wrong. Instead of only solving for an answer, students must look carefully at a word problem, compare it to two visual representations, and explain what does not match.

In doing so, they see multiple examples of number bonds, visual representations, and build up their conceptual understanding of common word problem phrases, such as “how many more” and “altogether”.

This resource supports students with:

making sense of word problems
connecting stories to visual models
checking their work for accuracy
strengthening addition and subtraction reasoning
explaining their mathematical thinking
Students read a word problem and compare it to two representations. One matches the story. One does not. Their job is to identify which one is wrong and explain why.

Includes:

34 task cards
student direction/checklist pages
recording sheet
answer key
teacher notes

Skills covered:

addition within 20
subtraction within 20
part-part-whole thinking
comparison problems
quantity mismatches
operation mismatches
These task cards work well for math centers, partner work, small groups, independent practice, intervention, and review.