If you’ve ever watched your students freeze the second they see a word problem, you’re not alone. Word problems are where even confident mathematicians lose steam. Why? Because solving them takes more than just knowing math facts — it takes strategy, stamina, and confidence.
The good news: you can help students feel less overwhelmed (and even successful) with a few simple shifts.
Stay tuned for a FREE SAMPLE!
Quick Wins to Help Students with Word Problems
1. Teach them to slow down and highlight what matters.
Students often rush and miss the key information. A quick fix: have them highlight the numbers that are needed and underline the question. This slows them down and shows them what’s important before they start solving.
2. Encourage sketching and drawing.
Word problems feel abstract. A quick doodle, diagram, or bar model can turn a wall of text into something students can actually see.
3. Let them talk it out.
Pair students up to read the problem aloud and restate it in their own words. Half the battle is just making sure they understand what’s being asked.
4. Remind them: it’s okay to try again.
Perseverance matters more than speed. Celebrate when a student re-reads, revises, or tests a different strategy. That’s real problem solving!
But Here’s the Challenge…
These quick wins help in the moment — but students need more than “tricks” to build real confidence. Without a routine they can lean on every time, word problems will always feel overwhelming.
That’s Where G.R.I.T. Comes In
The G.R.I.T. Problem-Solving Routine gives students a clear process to follow every time they face a tough problem:
- Gather → Find the key information and question.
- Represent → Draw a model, diagram, or picture.
- Investigate → Do the math, step by step.
- Tie it together → Write the answer and explain why it makes sense.
Instead of cramming for the test, students practice this routine all year long — building perseverance, stronger explanations, and real test-readiness.
My students mentioned that it [G.R.I.T.] makes word problems less overwhelming.
Try G.R.I.T. With Your Students
Want to make word problems less overwhelming in your classroom? Start with a free G.R.I.T. problem set and see how your students respond.
Beyond the Sample
The free sample has two problems, enough to test out the routine and see how it works in your classroom.
But routines stick when they are built over time. The best way to keep G.R.I.T. alive all year is with fresh, seasonal, real-world word problems that connect to your students’ lives.
That is why I am adding fresh G.R.I.T. problems in The Kupe Collection: Monthly Math Drops.
Each month, teachers inside the collection get:
- New G.R.I.T. problems with both core and accessible versions
- Hands-on math activities like cubes, craftivities, and scavenger hunts
- Seasonal math projects that double as classroom displays
- Ready-to-print resources that save time and keep students engaged
It is everything you need to make math problem solving fresh, consistent, and meaningful without adding more to your plate.
Let’s Make Problem Solving Stick
Your students do not need another test prep packet. They need a routine they can trust. The G.R.I.T. Problem Solving Routine gives them just that and helps you build skills that last far beyond testing season.
👉 Download your free G.R.I.T. sample today and see how your students respond.
And when you are ready to keep the routine going all year, The Kupe Collection: Monthly Math Drops is waiting with fresh resources to make it happen.