Story Math Step Mat Story Math Step Mat
My 4 Steps to Solve Word Problems
Visual Math Anchor
Keep On Desk
STEP 1
Picture the Story
Read the sentences. Make a quick movie in your mind.
Draw simple shapes:
Quick circles, not detailed art!
STEP 2
Find the Numbers
Look for the number words or digits. Circle both.
"Leo has 4 cars. He gets 2 more."
First: 4 Second: 2
STEP 3
Choose the Sign
What is happening in the story?
JOINING (Put Together)
gets more, finds, joins, in all
−
SEPARATING (Take Away)
eats, pops, loses, leaves, left
STEP 4
Use Ten-Frame & Solve
Fill the counters, count, and write the answer.
4 + 2 = 6
Clue Words Cheat Sheet
Addition Words (+)
in all • total • both • more
Subtraction Words (−)
left • remain • give away • pop
−
My Check-Off Routine:
1. Draw
2. Numbers
3. + or −
4. Solve
Story Math Practice Worksheet Math Story Steps • Page 1
Story Math Practice Worksheet
Name:
Date:
1. Draw • 2. Find Numbers • 3. Circle + or − • 4. Ten-Frame & Solve
1
Maya has 4 red apples. She picks 2 green apples. How many apples does Maya have in all?
Step 1: Draw quick circles for the story
Step 2: Write the 2 numbers
First:
Second:
Step 3: Circle one action
+ Put Together
− Take Away
Step 4: Fill the ten-frame, then write and solve
Answer: Maya has apples in all.
2
Ben has 5 toy cars. He gets 3 more cars for his birthday. How many toy cars does Ben have now?
Step 1: Draw quick circles for the story
Step 2: Write the 2 numbers
First:
Second:
Step 3: Circle one action
+ Put Together
− Take Away
Step 4: Fill the ten-frame, then write and solve
Answer: Ben has cars now.
Math Story Steps • Page 2
Story Math Practice Worksheet
Name:
Date:
1. Draw • 2. Find Numbers • 3. Circle + or − • 4. Ten-Frame & Solve
3
There are 6 birds on a fence. 2 birds fly away. How many birds are left on the fence?
Step 1: Draw 6 circles, then cross out 2
Step 2: Write the 2 numbers
First:
Second:
Step 3: Circle one action
+ Put Together
− Take Away
Step 4: Fill the ten-frame, cross out, then solve
− =
Answer: There are birds left.
4
Mom puts 7 cookies on a plate. The kids eat 4 cookies. How many cookies are left on the plate?
Step 1: Draw 7 circles, then cross out 4
Step 2: Write the 2 numbers
First:
Second:
Step 3: Circle one action
+ Put Together
− Take Away
Step 4: Fill the ten-frame, cross out, then solve
− =
Answer: There are cookies left.
Story Math Facilitator Guide Story Math Facilitator Guide
ASD Prompting Protocol • Accommodations • Key
Educator / Aide Reference
1-on-1 Direct Support
Least-to-Most Prompting (Wait 5–7 Seconds Before Escalating)
1. Natural
Student begins step independently.
2. Gestural
Point to current step on Step Mat silently.
3. Direct Verbal
"Look at step 2. Find numbers."
4. Model
Demonstrate on your own ten-frame.
5. Physical
Hand-under-hand guide to place counter.
Consistent Verbal Routine (Identical Language Lowers Cognitive Load)
Step 1 • Picture the Story
Script: "Let's read together. Draw quick circles in the box. No details needed, just fast shapes."
Step 2 • Find the Numbers
Script: "Touch the first number. Touch the second number. Write them on the lines."
Step 3 • Addition Action (+)
Script: "Did someone get MORE? They join together! Circle plus (+)."
Step 3 • Subtraction Action (−)
Script: "Did something GO AWAY or get eaten? Take away! Circle minus (−)."
Key ASD Accommodations
Visual Masking
Cover Problem 2 with blank cardstock to eliminate visual clutter and reduce task anxiety.
Concrete Counters
Use physical two-color plastic counters right over the printed ten-frame squares before writing.
First • Then System
"First 2 problems, then 3-minute preferred break." Keeps expectations predictable and calm.
Complete Answer Key & Verification
# Story Numbers Action Ten-Frame Setup Equation & Answer 1 Maya's Apples 4 and 2 + Put Together 4 dots + 2 dots 4 + 2 = 6 apples 2 Ben's Cars 5 and 3 + Put Together 5 dots + 3 dots 5 + 3 = 8 cars 3 Fence Birds 6 and 2 − Take Away 6 dots, 2 crossed out 6 − 2 = 4 birds left 4 Mom's Cookies 7 and 4 − Take Away 7 dots, 4 crossed out 7 − 4 = 3 cookies remain
Autism Spectrum Intervention • Story Math Solvers Series Prompt fading goal: achieve Level 1 (Independent) across 3 consecutive sessions
