Story Detective Slides Level 1: Math Detectives
Story Detective Slides
Let's search for clues to solve addition and subtraction story problems!
🔍
Solving One-Step Word Problems
Slide 1 of 7
Our Detective Toolkit
4 Easy Steps
1
Find Numbers
Circle the math numbers in the story.
2
Spot Clues
Find words that tell us to add or subtract.
3
Draw It
Draw simple shapes or circles to represent the story.
4
Solve It
Write the number equation and get your answer.
Keep these steps in mind for every mystery! Slide 2 of 7
Case #1: The Balloon Mystery
Find the Addition Clues
+ ADDITION
The Story:
Sam has 4 blue balloons. Lily gives him 3 red balloons. How many balloons does Sam have in all?
Why is this addition? The story says Lily "gives him" more balloons, and asks how many he has "in all" . That means we combine them!
Sam's Balloons
🎈 1
🎈 2
🎈 3
🎈 4
4 Blue
Lily's Gift
🎈 1
🎈 2
🎈 3
3 Red
Let's solve this mystery on the next slide! Slide 3 of 7
Case #1 Solved
Let's Put It Together!
4 + 3 = 7
Model (Counting All):
🎈 🎈 🎈 🎈
🎈 🎈 🎈
Count them all: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7!
The Equation:
4 Balloons
3 More
=
7 Total
Final Answer:
7 Balloons
Excellent job! Ready for the next case? Slide 4 of 7
Case #2: The Missing Cookies
Find the Subtraction Clues
- SUBTRACTION
The Story:
There are 6 cookies on a plate. Max eats 2 cookies. How many cookies are left?
Why is this subtraction? The story says Max "eats" some cookies (which means they are gone!), and asks how many are "left" . We subtract!
Cookies at the Start
🍪 🍪 🍪 🍪 🍪 🍪
Total: 6 cookies
How do we show cookies being eaten? Let's check! Slide 5 of 7
Case #2 Solved
Let's Cross Them Out!
6 - 2 = 4
Model (Cross Out):
🍪 1
🍪 2
🍪 3
🍪 4
🍪
❌
🍪
❌
Count the cookies left with no ❌ : 4!
The Equation:
6 Start
-
2 Eaten
=
4 Left
Final Answer:
4 Cookies
Outstanding! Let's do a quick detective review. Slide 6 of 7
Case Closed: Math Clues Cheat Sheet
Remember These!
Addition Clue Words
Use addition when objects are being added, joined, or combined .
In All
Altogether
Gives More
Plus
-
Subtraction Clue Words
Use subtraction when objects are taken away, lost, or eaten .
Left
Take Away
Eats / Lost
Fewer
Now you're ready! Grab your guided practice notepad. Slide 7 of 7
Clue Finder Guided Activity 🔍
Math Story Detectives
Clue Finder Guided Activity
Guided Case 1
Detective Name:
Date:
1. Circle Numbers
2. Spot Clue Word
3. Draw a Model
4. Solve It
Case File #1: The Frogs on the Log
There are 5 green frogs sitting on a log. 3 more frogs jump onto the log. How many frogs are on the log in all?
1
Draw Your Clues
Draw simple circles or shapes inside the boxes below to show your frogs.
First Group (5)
🐸
🐸
🐸
🐸
?
More Frogs (3)
🐸
?
?
Count them all: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... 6, 7, 8!
2
Fill In The Equation
Write the numbers from the story inside the boxes.
=
Frogs on log + New frogs = Total frogs
3
Write Your Answer
There are frogs on the log.
Good job detective! Continue to Page 2. Page 1 of 2
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Math Story Detectives
Clue Finder Guided Activity
Guided Case 2
Detective Name:
Date:
1. Circle Numbers
2. Spot Clue Word
3. Draw a Model
4. Solve It
Case File #2: The Sweet Strawberries
There are 8 sweet strawberries on a plate. Kate eats 3 strawberries. How many strawberries are left?
1
Cross Out the Clues
Put an ❌ over the strawberries that Kate eats.
🍓
🍓
🍓
🍓
🍓
🍓
🍓
🍓
Cross out 3 strawberries!
Count the ones with no ❌ to find your answer.
2
Fill In The Equation
Write the numbers from the story inside the boxes.
-
=
Total Strawberries - Strawberries eaten = Strawberries left
3
Write Your Answer
There are strawberries left.
Detective Checklist: Read Story Found Clues Solved It
Page 2 of 2
Solo Detective Worksheet 🕵️♂️
Independent Mission
Solo Detective Worksheet
Part 1: Addition
Detective Name:
Date:
Mission #1 Remember to circle numbers!
Leo has 3 red apples. He buys 4 yellow apples. How many apples does he have altogether ?
Draw apples below:
Draw 3 + Draw 4
=
Total: apples.
Mission #2 Search for the clue word!
There are 6 ladybugs sitting on a leaf. 2 more ladybugs land. How many ladybugs are there in all ?
Draw ladybugs below:
Draw 6 + Draw 2
=
Total: ladybugs.
Halfway there! Let's do subtraction next. Page 1 of 2
🕵️♂️
Independent Mission
Solo Detective Worksheet
Part 2: Subtraction
Detective Name:
Date:
Mission #3 Draw the start and cross out eaten ones!
There are 7 sweet cupcakes on a tray. Tim eats 3 of them. How many cupcakes are left ?
Cross out 3 cupcakes below:
🧁 🧁 🧁 🧁 🧁 🧁 🧁
-
=
Left: cupcakes.
Mission #4 Read and circle the numbers carefully!
Meg has 5 sharp pencils. 1 pencil breaks. How many sharp pencils does she have left ?
Cross out 1 pencil below:
✏️ ✏️ ✏️ ✏️ ✏️
-
=
Left: pencils.
Case closed! You solved all the missions! Page 2 of 2
Detective Guide Teacher Notes 📋
Teacher Resource Guide
Detective Guide Teacher Notes
Lesson Plan
Target Group: IEP Students (K-2/3)
Skill: One-Step Word Problems
Domain: Ops & Algebraic Thinking
This lesson relies heavily on the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) instructional strategy to bridge the gap between word-dense math stories and numerical operations.
The CRA Scaffold for IEP Success
1. Concrete
Provide students with real counters, blocks, or toy plastic bugs. Let them physically touch and group things before drawing.
2. Representational
Represent quantities via icons and drawings. The worksheets offer pre-made shapes to touch, count, and cross out.
3. Abstract
Write the equation numbers into templates. Scaffold with color codes (blue for inputs, red/green for results) as a guide.
Recommended Lesson Flow
10 min
Slide Presentation: Project "Story Detective Slides". Go step-by-step through the 4-step toolkit. Emphasize "Clue Words" (e.g., in all, left).
15 min
Guided Practice: Complete "Clue Finder Guided Activity" together. Fill in frog circles and model crossing out strawberry icons synchronously.
15 min
Independent Practice: Hand out "Solo Detective Worksheet". Give students visual blocks, stickers, or stamps if they need extra representational support.
Visual Questioning Framework
"What are the numbers in our case? Let's circle them together with a yellow pencil."
"Is our group of objects growing larger (Addition) or smaller (Subtraction)?"
"Look at the word 'left'. Does that mean we add or take away?"
"Point to each circle as you count. Can you double-check your total?"
Turn over for student answer keys and solutions. Page 1 of 2
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Teacher Resource Guide
Solutions & Answer Keys
Answer Key
1. Clue Finder Guided Activity Key
Guided Case 1: Frogs on Log
Clue Word Highlighted: in all (Addition)
Equation Box: 5 + 3 = 8
Sentence Answer: There are 8 frogs on the log.
Guided Case 2: Strawberries
Clue Word Highlighted: left (Subtraction)
Equation Box: 8 - 3 = 5