Haunted Math Manor A spooky 4th-grade math lesson focusing on two-step word problems with whole numbers. Features 20 eerie Halloween scenarios, integrated CUBES strategy scaffolding, complete answer keys, and a targeted paraprofessional coaching guide.
SW Stephanie Wooten
Spooky Word Problems Worksheet
A 5-page print-ready Halloween math worksheet containing 20 two-step word problems for 4th graders. Includes a prominent CUBES strategy anchor banner, individual CUBES annotation tracker checkboxes, dedicated equation writing lines, and spacious student workspaces for every problem.
Spooky Word Problems Answer Key
A comprehensive 2-page teacher answer key for all 20 Halloween two-step word problems. Features step-by-step mathematical work, formal algebraic equations with variables, highlighted final answers with correct units, and quick-check coaching tips for educators and assistants.
Spooky Word Problems Paraprofessional Guide
A comprehensive 3-page Paraprofessional Coaching Guide for supporting students through all 20 two-step word problems. Includes a CUBES coaching dialogue protocol, prompt hierarchy, problem-by-problem hidden steps, common traps, scripted whisper prompts, and IEP/504 accommodation strategies.
Haunted Math Manor A spooky 4th-grade math lesson focusing on two-step word problems with whole numbers. Features 20 eerie Halloween scenarios, integrated CUBES strategy scaffolding, complete answer keys, and a targeted paraprofessional coaching guide.
SW Stephanie Wooten
Spooky Word Problems Worksheet 🎃
Haunted Math Manor
4th Grade Two-Step Word Problems • Creepy Halloween Edition
Name: Date:
Score: / 20
🗝️ CUBES Strategy Key:
C Circle numbers U Underline question B Box clue words E Evaluate 2 steps S Solve & Check
Count Vlad brewed 8 batches of vampire blood punch. Each batch used 12 cups of cranberry juice. At midnight, his zombie guests drank 47 cups . How many cups of punch are left in the cauldron?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
include unit
An eight-legged weaver spun 15 silk webs every night for 6 nights . A sudden gust of witch wind blew down 28 webs . How many intact spider webs are still hanging in the crypt?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
include unit
In the graveyard, 145 skeletal hands clawed out of the earth. The groundskeeper reburied 58 hands , but then 37 new hands burst through the mud. How many skeletal hands are now reaching up?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
include unit
Madame Morbid had 216 pickled newt eyes in a jar. She dropped and broke 36 eyes , so she threw them away. She divided the remaining eyes equally among 6 cauldrons . How many eyes went into each cauldron?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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Haunted Math Manor • Two-Step Word Problems Page 1 of 5
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Haunted Math Manor
Remember: Solve step 1 before finding the final answer!
Name: Problems 5–8
A mummy's ancient linen wrapping was 500 inches long . During an escape, 142 inches tore off on a stone sarcophagus, and another 89 inches caught on an iron torch holder. How many inches of linen remain wrapped around the mummy?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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Bones Malone collected 7 sacks of ribs from the catacombs. Each sack holds 14 bones . His pet skeleton hound dug up an extra 25 bones from the garden. How many bones does Bones Malone have in total?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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In the attic, 4 ghost quartets (groups of 4 ghosts each) are practicing their shrieks. If 7 phantom soloists float in through the chimney to join them, how many screaming ghosts are now in the attic?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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A sorceress brewed 132 ounces of toxic bubbling slime. She accidentally spilled 24 ounces on her spellbook. She poured the remaining slime equally into 9 glass flasks . How many ounces went into each flask?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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Haunted Math Manor • Two-Step Word Problems Page 2 of 5
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Haunted Math Manor
Break it down: Step 1 hidden question ➔ Step 2 main question
Name: Problems 9–12
Farmer Frank planted 6 rows of cursed jack-o'-lanterns with 18 pumpkins in each row. At twilight, mischievous goblins smashed 39 pumpkins with clubs. How many cursed pumpkins remain undamaged?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
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Final Answer:
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A pack of shadow wolves left 64 claw marks on the cabin door on Monday and 78 claw marks on Tuesday. The terrified trapper sanded away 45 of the marks . How many claw marks are still visible on the door?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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A dark cavern ceiling held 3 clusters of sleeping vampire bats, with 26 bats in each cluster. A thunderclap startled 19 bats , which flew out into the storm. How many bats are still hanging inside the cavern?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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Doctor Victor had 3 boxes of heavy neck bolts with 24 bolts in each box. He used 38 bolts to build his creature and gave 15 bolts to Igor. How many neck bolts does Doctor Victor have left?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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Haunted Math Manor • Two-Step Word Problems Page 3 of 5
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Haunted Math Manor
Check: Did you write the equation with a variable for the unknown?
Name: Problems 13–16
The Ghoul Manor ticket booth collected $350 from adult visitors. They also sold 8 youth tickets for $9 each . Then they spent $85 on fog machine fluid. How much ticket money does Ghoul Manor have left?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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A creepy candy shop packaged 240 bags of sour candied worms. They delivered 85 bags to the goblin market and 65 bags to the vampire banquet. How many bags of candied worms are still in the shop?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
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Final Answer:
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A tombstone carver had 9 boxes of stone chisels with 12 chisels in each box. During a violent lightning storm, 16 chisels cracked and broke. How many working chisels does the carver have left?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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The Midnight Flight Academy trained 5 squadrons of witches with 14 witches in each squadron. Before takeoff, 18 witches had their brooms confiscated for reckless flying. How many witches flew at midnight?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
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Final Answer:
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Haunted Math Manor • Two-Step Word Problems Page 4 of 5
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Haunted Math Manor
Final stretch! Don't forget to double-check your calculations.
Name: Problems 17–20
The ghostly bridge keeper charges 7 gold tokens per traveler. A group of 13 travelers paid the toll, which joined 48 tokens already inside his iron chest. How many tokens are now in the chest?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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The dungeon keeper counted 184 sewer rats . His feral cat scared away 96 rats , but then 4 litters of 8 baby rats scurried out of the damp walls. How many rats are crawling in the dungeon now?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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The wicked queen harvested 9 baskets of poisoned apples, with 16 apples in each basket. She tossed out 28 rotten apples . She packed the good apples equally into 4 barrels . How many apples are in each barrel?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
include unit
A gravedigger bought 4 boxes of iron coffin nails with 35 nails in each box. He used 68 nails to seal a crypt and 42 nails to repair a coffin. How many nails are left in his toolbox?
C•U•B•E•S
Equation:
Show Work (Step 1 & Step 2):
Final Answer:
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Haunted Math Manor • Two-Step Word Problems Page 5 of 5
Spooky Word Problems Answer Key 📋
Haunted Math Manor
Answer Key
Complete Step-by-Step Solutions & Equations • Problems 1–10
4th Grade Math • CCSS 4.OA.A.3
1. Vampire's Blood Punch 49 cups
Step 1: \(8 \times 12 = 96\text{ cups brewed}\)
Step 2: \(96 - 47 = 49\text{ cups remaining}\)
Equation: \((8 \times 12) - 47 = p\)
Tip: Ensure students multiply batches first before subtracting.
2. Spider Silk Weaving 62 webs
Step 1: \(15 \times 6 = 90\text{ total webs spun}\)
Step 2: \(90 - 28 = 62\text{ intact webs}\)
Equation: \((15 \times 6) - 28 = w\)
Tip: Regrouping required in subtraction \((90 - 28)\).
3. Graveyard Skeletal Hands 124 hands
Step 1: \(145 - 58 = 87\text{ hands remaining}\)
Step 2: \(87 + 37 = 124\text{ total hands}\)
Equation: \((145 - 58) + 37 = h\)
Tip: Two operations: first subtraction, then addition.
4. Madame Morbid's Eyes 30 eyes
Step 1: \(216 - 36 = 180\text{ usable eyes}\)
Step 2: \(180 \div 6 = 30\text{ eyes per cauldron}\)
Equation: \((216 - 36) \div 6 = e\)
Tip: Basic fact link: \(18 \div 6 = 3\), so \(180 \div 6 = 30\).
5. Mummy Linen Bandage 269 inches
Step 1: \(142 + 89 = 231\text{ inches torn}\)
Step 2: \(500 - 231 = 269\text{ inches left}\)
Equation: \(500 - (142 + 89) = b\)
Tip: Watch for zero-subtraction errors across 500.
6. Bones Malone's Rib Sacks 123 bones
Step 1: \(7 \times 14 = 98\text{ sack bones}\)
Step 2: \(98 + 25 = 123\text{ total bones}\)
Equation: \((7 \times 14) + 25 = b\)
Tip: Partial products: \((7 \times 10) + (7 \times 4) = 70 + 28 = 98\).
7. Ghostly Wail Choirs 23 ghosts
Step 1: \(4 \times 4 = 16\text{ quartet ghosts}\)
Step 2: \(16 + 7 = 23\text{ screaming ghosts}\)
Spooky Word Problems Paraprofessional Guide 🧙♀️
Haunted Math Manor
Paraprofessional Guide
Instructional Coaching & Scaffolding Guide • 4th Grade Multi-Step Problems
Target: CCSS 4.OA.A.3
🗝️ CUBES Verbal Prompting Script
C: "What numbers and units do you see? Circle them."U: "Underline the question. What is the story asking you to find?"B: "Box clue words: each, left, in all, split equally, more ."E: "What must you solve FIRST before finding the final answer?"S: "Solve Step 1, write the equation, and check: Does it make sense?"
📶 Prompting Hierarchy (Least ➔ Most)
1. Pause & Wait: Give 10 seconds of think time after reading.
2. Indirect Cue: "Look at your CUBES annotations—what do we know?"
3. Direct Question: "What is the hidden question we must solve first?"
4. Modeling/Visual: Sketch a quick bar model / tape diagram.
Problem-by-Problem Support (Problems 1–6)
#1
Hidden Step 1: Total punch brewed (\(8 \times 12 = 96\text{ cups}\)).
Common Misconception: Subtracting 47 directly from 12 or 8.
Whisper Prompt: "Before the guests drank, how many cups did Vlad brew altogether?"
#2
Hidden Step 1: Total webs spun in 6 nights (\(15 \times 6 = 90\)).
Common Misconception: Adding \(15 + 6\) instead of multiplying.
Whisper Prompt: "15 webs every night for 6 nights. Is that adding or multiplying?"
#3
Hidden Step 1: Hands left after burial (\(145 - 58 = 87\)).
Common Misconception: Adding all three numbers together.
Whisper Prompt: "When he reburied hands, did the number go up or down? Subtract first."
#4
Hidden Step 1: Usable eyes left in jar (\(216 - 36 = 180\)).
Common Misconception: Dividing 216 by 6 without discarding broken ones.
Whisper Prompt: "Can she use broken eyes in potions? Take those away before sharing."
#5
Hidden Step 1: Total linen unraveled (\(142 + 89 = 231\text{ in}\)).
Common Misconception: Regrouping error subtracting from 500.
Whisper Prompt: "Add the two lost pieces together first, then subtract from 500."
#6
Hidden Step 1: Total sack bones (\(7 \times 14 = 98\text{ bones}\)).
Equation: \((4 \times 4) + 7 = g\)
Tip: Clarify vocabulary: "quartet" means a group of 4.
8. Toxic Slime Flasks 12 ounces
Step 1: \(132 - 24 = 108\text{ oz slime}\)
Step 2: \(108 \div 9 = 12\text{ oz per flask}\)
Equation: \((132 - 24) \div 9 = s\)
Tip: Subtraction step must precede division into 9 flasks.
9. Cursed Pumpkin Patch 69 pumpkins
Step 1: \(6 \times 18 = 108\text{ total pumpkins}\)
Step 2: \(108 - 39 = 69\text{ undamaged}\)
Equation: \((6 \times 18) - 39 = p\)
Tip: Array model: 6 rows of 18 equals 108 total.
10. Shadow Wolf Claw Marks 97 marks
Step 1: \(64 + 78 = 142\text{ total claw marks}\)
Step 2: \(142 - 45 = 97\text{ marks left}\)
Equation: \((64 + 78) - 45 = c\)
Tip: Add Monday + Tuesday first, then subtract sanded marks.
Haunted Math Manor • Teacher & Assistant Answer Key Page 1 of 2 (Problems 1–10)
Haunted Math Manor Complete Step-by-Step Solutions & Equations • Problems 11–20
11. Sleeping Vampire Bats 59 bats
Step 1: \(3 \times 26 = 78\text{ sleeping bats}\)
Step 2: \(78 - 19 = 59\text{ bats remaining}\)
Equation: \((3 \times 26) - 19 = b\)
Tip: \(3 \times 20 = 60\) plus \(3 \times 6 = 18 \rightarrow 78\).
12. Frankenstein's Neck Bolts 19 bolts
Step 1: \(3 \times 24 = 72\text{ bolts total}\)
Step 2: \(72 - (38 + 15) = 72 - 53 = 19\text{ bolts}\)
Equation: \((3 \times 24) - (38 + 15) = b\)
Tip: Combine used bolts \((38 + 15 = 53)\) before subtracting.
13. Ghoul Manor Ticket Booth $337
Step 1: \(8 \times \$9 = \$72\text{ youth tickets}\)
Total In: \(\$350 + \$72 = \$422\)
Step 2: \(\$422 - \$85 = \$337\text{ remaining}\)
Equation: \((350 + (8 \times 9)) - 85 = m\)
Tip: Remember the dollar sign ($) in the final unit.
14. Sour Candied Worms 90 bags
Step 1: \(85 + 65 = 150\text{ bags shipped}\)
Step 2: \(240 - 150 = 90\text{ bags left}\)
Equation: \(240 - (85 + 65) = c\)
Tip: Alternate step: \(240 - 85 = 155\), then \(155 - 65 = 90\).
15. Tombstone Stone Chisels 92 chisels
Step 1: \(9 \times 12 = 108\text{ total chisels}\)
Step 2: \(108 - 16 = 92\text{ working chisels}\)
Equation: \((9 \times 12) - 16 = c\)
Tip: Basic 12s fact: \(9 \times 12 = 108\).
16. Midnight Witch Flight 52 witches
Step 1: \(5 \times 14 = 70\text{ total witches}\)
Step 2: \(70 - 18 = 52\text{ flying witches}\)
Equation: \((5 \times 14) - 18 = w\)
Tip: \(5 \times 14 = 5 \times (10 + 4) = 50 + 20 = 70\).
17. Ghost Bridge Toll Tokens 139 tokens
Step 1: \(13 \times 7 = 91\text{ tokens collected}\)
Step 2: \(48 + 91 = 139\text{ tokens in chest}\)
Equation: \(48 + (13 \times 7) = t\)
Tip: Multi-step addition with initial chest quantity.
18. Cellar Rat Swarm 120 rats
Step 1: \(184 - 96 = 88\text{ remaining}\)
Step 2: \(4 \times 8 = 32\text{ new baby rats}\)
Total: \(88 + 32 = 120\text{ crawling rats}\)
Equation: \((184 - 96) + (4 \times 8) = r\)
Tip: Notice the three-phase operations: subtract, multiply, add.
19. Queen's Poisoned Apples 29 apples
Step 1: \(9 \times 16 = 144\text{ apples picked}\)
Step 2a: \(144 - 28 = 116\text{ good apples}\)
Step 2b: \(116 \div 4 = 29\text{ apples per barrel}\)
Equation: \(((9 \times 16) - 28) \div 4 = a\)
Tip: \(116 \div 4 = (100 \div 4) + (16 \div 4) = 25 + 4 = 29\).
20. Iron Coffin Nails 30 nails
Step 1: \(4 \times 35 = 140\text{ nails total}\)
Step 2: \(68 + 42 = 110\text{ nails used}\)
Left: \(140 - 110 = 30\text{ nails remaining}\)
Equation: \((4 \times 35) - (68 + 42) = n\)
Tip: Grouping used nails makes mental subtraction easy: \(140 - 110 = 30\).
Haunted Math Manor • Teacher & Assistant Answer Key Page 2 of 2 (Problems 11–20)
Common Misconception: Adding \(7 + 14 = 21\) instead of equal groups.
Whisper Prompt: "He has 7 sacks and EACH has 14 bones. Multiply to get sack bones."
Haunted Math Manor • Paraprofessional Coaching Guide Page 1 of 3 (Problems 1–6)
Haunted Math Manor: Paraprofessional Guide Targeted Coaching Prompts & Hidden Step Analysis • Problems 7–14
Hidden Step 1: Ghosts in quartets (\(4 \times 4 = 16\)).
Common Misconception: Unfamiliar with word "quartet".
Whisper Prompt: "Quartet means a group of 4. There are 4 groups of 4 ghosts."
Hidden Step 1: Slime left after spill (\(132 - 24 = 108\text{ oz}\)).
Common Misconception: Dividing 132 by 9 directly (gives remainder).
Whisper Prompt: "If slime spilled on the book, it's gone! Subtract 24 before dividing."
Hidden Step 1: Total pumpkins grown (\(6 \times 18 = 108\)).
Common Misconception: Subtracting 39 from 18 directly.
Whisper Prompt: "Picture 6 rows with 18 in each row. How many grew in the patch first?"
Hidden Step 1: Total marks made (\(64 + 78 = 142\)).
Common Misconception: Subtracting 45 from only one day's count.
Whisper Prompt: "How many marks were made over both days before any were sanded?"
Hidden Step 1: Total bats sleeping (\(3 \times 26 = 78\)).
Common Misconception: Subtracting \(26 - 19\) and ignoring the 3 clusters.
Whisper Prompt: "There are 3 clusters of 26. Find the cave total before the storm."
Hidden Step 1: Starting bolts (\(3 \times 24 = 72\)).
Common Misconception: Subtracting 38 but forgetting the 15 for Igor.
Whisper Prompt: "Victor used 38 AND gave away 15. How many bolts were used in total?"
Hidden Step 1: Youth ticket revenue (\(8 \times \$9 = \$72\)).
Common Misconception: Adding \(8 + 9 = 17\) instead of multiplying.
Whisper Prompt: "8 tickets at $9 each. What is the value of those tickets?"
Hidden Step 1: Total bags shipped (\(85 + 65 = 150\)).
Common Misconception: Doing only one subtraction step.
Whisper Prompt: "Combine the two orders that shipped out, then subtract from 240."
Haunted Math Manor • Paraprofessional Coaching Guide Page 2 of 3 (Problems 7–14)
Haunted Math Manor: Paraprofessional Guide Problems 15–20 Breakdown & Special Education / IEP Accommodations
Problem-by-Problem Support (Problems 15–20)
Hidden Step 1: Total chisels (\(9 \times 12 = 108\)).
Trap: 12s multiplication fact error.
Whisper Prompt: "Break 12 into \(10 + 2\). What is \(9 \times 10\) plus \(9 \times 2\)?"
Hidden Step 1: Total witches (\(5 \times 14 = 70\)).
Trap: Trying to subtract 18 from 14.
Whisper Prompt: "Find how many witches were trained in all 5 squads first."
Hidden Step 1: Toll collected (\(13 \times 7 = 91\)).
Trap: Adding 13 + 7 instead of multiplying.
Whisper Prompt: "13 people each handed him 7 tokens. Multiply to find total toll."
Hidden Step 1: Adult rats left (\(184 - 96 = 88\)).
Trap: Adding 4 + 8 instead of \(4 \times 8 = 32\).
Whisper Prompt: "4 litters with 8 pups each = 32 new rats. Add that to the 88 left."
Hidden Step 1: Harvest (\(144\)), good apples (\(116\)).
Trap: Dividing 144 before subtracting rotten.
Whisper Prompt: "Throw away rotten apples first! What is \(144 - 28\)? Now divide by 4."
Hidden Step 1: Total nails bought (\(4 \times 35 = 140\)).
Trap: Forgetting one of the two repair uses.
Whisper Prompt: "Add \(68 + 42\) to see total nails used, then subtract from 140."
IEP / 504 Accommodations & Small Group Interventions 1. Visual & Color Coding:
Provide two highlighters: yellow for Step 1 data and orange for Step 2 data . This visually splits the paragraph into two bite-sized tasks.
Cover Problems 3–4 with blank construction paper while the student focuses solely on Problem 1 or 2 to eliminate visual overwhelm.
3. Concrete Manipulatives:
Have base-ten blocks, place value charts, or multiplication fact grids ready for students who grasp the logic but struggle with multi-digit operations.
Pacing Guide: 4 problems per session (1 page/day) for tiered intervention groups. Praise Effort: "I love how you found the hidden question first!"
Haunted Math Manor • Paraprofessional Coaching Guide Page 3 of 3 (Problems 15–20 & Accommodations)
