Word Problem Codebreakers Para Script
Paraprofessional Instructional Script • Grade 5
Word Problem Codebreakers Guide
Facilitation Script • Sheet 1 (Prob 1–5)
Prompting Hierarchy:
1. Wait: Give 15s processing → 2. Indirect: "Which letter are you on?" → 3. Direct: Use "Say This" script → 4. Model: Solve on scrap paper
1 Robotics Gear Kits 1-Step Mult
Answer: 432 brass gears
C: Circle 18 kits and 24 brass gears
U: Underline: How many total brass gears did the club receive?
B: Box clue words: Each kit, total
E: 18 equal groups of 24 = Multiplication
S: Equation: \(18 \times 24 = 432\)
Watch Out: Adding \(18 + 24 = 42\). Ask: "Can 18 kits hold only 42 gears?"
Say This: "If each kit has 24 gears and there are 18 kits, what operation combines equal groups quickly? Set up 18 times 24."
2 Food Drive Soup Crates 1-Step Div
Answer: 63 cans of soup
C: Circle 756 cans and 12 donation crates
U: Underline: How many cans of soup go into each crate?
B: Box clue words: pack them evenly, each crate
E: Sharing total cans into 12 equal crates = Division
S: Equation: \(756 \div 12 = 63\)
Watch Out: Long division alignment: 12 goes into 75 six times (72), rem 3; 12 into 36 three times.
Say This: "We know the whole total and want equal crates. What math operation splits a total into equal piles? Let's divide 756 by 12."
3 Earth Week Bottle Drive 1-Step Sub
Answer: 1,545 more bottles
C: Circle 3,420 bottles and 1,875 bottles
U: Underline: How many more bottles did Oak Creek collect than Pine Hill?
B: Box clue words: How many more... than
E: Comparing two amounts = Subtraction (Difference)
S: Equation: \(3,420 - 1,875 = 1,545\)
Watch Out: Regrouping across zero in \(3,420\). Regroup from 2 tens to make 10 ones.
Say This: "'How many more than' means comparing two numbers to find the gap between them. Do we add or subtract to find the difference?"
4 Esports Arena Monitors 1-Step Mult
Answer: 480 monitors
C: Circle 32 computer rows and 15 monitors
U: Underline: How many monitors are in the arena altogether?
B: Box clue words: Each row, altogether
E: 32 equal rows of 15 = Multiplication
S: Equation: \(32 \times 15 = 480\)
Watch Out: Forgetting the zero placeholder when multiplying \(32 \times 10 = 320\).
Say This: "Picture row 1 with 15 monitors, row 2 with 15 monitors, all the way to 32 rows. What fast operation multiplies rows by monitors per row?"
5 Golden Apple Harvest 1-Step Div
Answer: 125 bags
C: Circle 1,125 golden apples and 9 apples each
U: Underline: How many bags can she fill?
B: Box clue words: packs into bags of 9, each
E: Total split into bags of 9 = Division
S: Equation: \(1,125 \div 9 = 125\)
Watch Out: Ensure student puts the first digit (1) over the hundreds place: \(11 \div 9 = 1\) R2.
Say This: "We are grouping 1,125 apples into sets of 9. How many sets of 9 fit inside 1,125? Let's use long division."
Coaching Tip: Have students read their answer aloud with units to verify it makes sense. Para Script • Page 1 of 5
Word Problem Codebreakers • Paraprofessional Guide • Problems 6–10
Sheet 2 (One-Step Whole Numbers)
6 Library Fiction Books 1-Step Add
Answer: 5,634 fiction books
C: Circle 2,489 books and 3,145 books
U: Underline: How many total fiction books were checked out across both seasons?
B: Box clue words: total, across both
E: Combining two separate season totals = Addition
S: Equation: \(2,489 + 3,145 = 5,634\)
Watch Out: Regrouping carried digits: \(9 + 5 = 14\) (carry 1); \(8 + 4 + 1 = 13\) (carry 1).
Say This: "'Across both seasons' means we want fall AND spring combined together. Line up your place values carefully and add."
7 Cross-Country Route Miles 1-Step Mult
Answer: 3,710 total miles
C: Circle 265 miles each day and 14 straight days
U: Underline: How many total miles did the driver travel?
B: Box clue words: each day, total miles
E: 14 days of 265 miles = Multiplication
S: \(265 \times 14\): partials \(1,060 + 2,650 = 3,710\)
Watch Out: Multi-digit multiplication carrying: \(4 \times 5 = 20\), carry 2; \(4 \times 6 + 2 = 26\).
Say This: "If she drives 265 miles on day one, and repeats that for 14 full days, what operation multiplies miles by days? Multiply 265 by 14."
8 Pastry Chef Scone Trays 1-Step Div
Answer: 27 trays
C: Circle 432 blueberry scones and 16 scones
U: Underline: How many trays does the chef need to hold all the scones?
B: Box clue words: exactly 16 scones onto each, hold all
E: Splitting 432 scones into trays of 16 = Division
S: Equation: \(432 \div 16 = 27\)
Watch Out: 2-digit divisor. Have student list multiples of 16: 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112.
Say This: "We have a total of 432 scones. Each tray takes 16. How many trays can we fill? Let's divide 432 by 16."
9 Spelling Bee Eliminations 1-Step Sub
Answer: 616 spellers remain
C: Circle 2,000 participants and 1,384 participants
U: Underline: How many spellers remain?
B: Box clue words: eliminated, remain
E: Total minus eliminated = Remaining (Subtraction)
S: Equation: \(2,000 - 1,384 = 616\)
Watch Out: Subtracting across zeros: think of 2,000 as 1 thousand, 9 hundreds, 9 tens, 10 ones.
Say This: "'Eliminated' means they are out of the game. That makes our total go down. Subtract 1,384 from 2,000 carefully across zeros."
10 Band Sheet Music Folders 1-Step Mult
Answer: 980 music folders
C: Circle 28 cases and 35 sturdy folders
U: Underline: How many total music folders were ordered?
B: Box clue words: Each case contains, total
E: 28 cases of 35 folders = Multiplication
S: \(28 \times 35\): partials \(140 + 840 = 980\)
Watch Out: Multi-digit multiplication check: \(5 \times 28 = 140\); \(30 \times 28 = 840\).
Say This: "There are 28 cases and each one has 35 folders inside. How do we find the grand total? Set up 28 times 35."
Coaching Tip: Prepare students for two-step problems on the next sheet by asking: "Can we solve this in just one step?" Para Script • Page 2 of 5
Word Problem Codebreakers • Paraprofessional Guide • Problems 11–15 (Two-Step Focus)
Sheet 3 (Find the Hidden Middle Step)
11 Maya's Gel Pen Collection 2-Step: Mult + Add
Answer: 213 gel pens
C: Circle 14 boxes, 12 pens, 45 extra pens
U: Underline: How many gel pens does Maya have in total?
B: Box: each box, also gave her, in total
E: Step 1: Find pens in boxes. Step 2: Add extras.
S: Step 1: \(14 \times 12 = 168\). Step 2: \(168 + 45 = 213\).
Watch Out: Stopping after 168! Prompt: "Did you add the 45 pens her teacher gave her?"
Say This: "Two-step alert! Before we find the grand total, what must we find first? The pens in the boxes! Solve 14 times 12 first."
12 Zoo Gift Shop Stickers 2-Step: Mult − Sub
Answer: 552 stickers left
C: Circle 45 packs, 20 stickers, 348 stickers
U: Underline: How many stickers are left in the shop?
B: Box: per pack, purchased, left
E: Step 1: Total stickers ordered. Step 2: Subtract sold.
S: Step 1: \(45 \times 20 = 900\). Step 2: \(900 - 348 = 552\).
Watch Out: Regrouping across zero in \(900 - 348\): 900 becomes 8 hundreds, 9 tens, 10 ones.
Say This: "How many stickers did they start with? Calculate 45 packs of 20 first. When visitors buy 348 stickers, do we add or subtract?"
13 Field Day Relay Teams 2-Step: Add + Div
Answer: 42 relay teams
C: Circle 138 fifth graders, 114 fourth graders, teams of 6
U: Underline: How many relay teams were created?
B: Box: and, grouped all, equal teams of 6
E: Step 1: Combine both grades. Step 2: Divide into 6.
S: Step 1: \(138 + 114 = 252\). Step 2: \(252 \div 6 = 42\).
Watch Out: Trying to divide 138 by 6 and 114 by 6 separately instead of combining first.
Say This: "Who is playing in the relays? Both grades! Combine all the students first. Once you have 252 students, divide them into teams of 6."
14 Cinema Matinee Ticket Sales 2-Step: Mult + Mult + Add
Answer: $1,420 total
C: Circle 65 adult tickets, $12, 80 student tickets, $8
U: Underline: How much total money did the cinema collect?
B: Box: each (twice), total money
E: Adults: \(65 \times 12\). Students: \(80 \times 8\). Total: add both.
S: \(65 \times 12 = \$780\); \(80 \times 8 = \$640\); \(\$780 + \$640 = \$1,420\).
Watch Out: Label each calculation: write 'Adults = $780' and 'Students = $640'.
Say This: "Two separate groups of tickets: find adult money (65 times 12), then student money (80 times 8), then add them together."
15 Marcus's Track Uniform & Socks 2-Step: Sub + Div
Answer: $48 per pair
C: Circle $500 saved, $164 uniform, 7 identical pairs
U: Underline: How much did each pair cost?
B: Box: bought, remaining money, each pair
E: Step 1: Subtract uniform cost. Step 2: Divide by 7 pairs.
S: Step 1: \(\$500 - \$164 = \$336\). Step 2: \(\$336 \div 7 = \$48\).
Watch Out: Trying to divide 500 by 7 directly without subtracting the uniform price.
Say This: "Marcus bought the uniform first. How much money does he have left for socks? Subtract 164 from 500. Now divide that money by 7."
Coaching Tip: Celebrate students who remember to write units (e.g., "$48 per pair", not just "48"). Para Script • Page 3 of 5
Word Problem Codebreakers • Paraprofessional Guide • Problems 16–20 (Eliminate Extra Info)
Sheet 4 (CUBES Step E Focus)
16 Bakery Cookie Packaging Extra Info • Add + Div
Answer: 65 boxes filled
C: Circle 240 choc chip, 150 oatmeal, boxes of 6
U: Underline: How many boxes were filled?
E: Cross out "8 hours"! Hours do not affect boxes.
Plan: Step 1: Total cookies. Step 2: Divide by 6.
S: Step 1: \(240 + 150 = 390\). Step 2: \(390 \div 6 = 65\).
Watch Out: Multiplying or dividing by 8. Ask: "Does the question ask for hours or boxes?"
Say This: "Look at 'E' for Eliminate! One number in this story is a trap. Does the baker working 8 hours matter for finding boxes? Cross it out!"
17 Museum STEM Visitor Badges 2-Step: Mult − Sub
Answer: 744 badges remained
C: Circle 1,500 badges, 18 buses, 42 students each
U: Underline: How many badges remained after each student received one?
B: Box: carrying 42 students each, remained
Plan: Step 1: Bus students (\(18 \times 42\)). Step 2: Subtract from 1,500.
S: Step 1: \(18 \times 42 = 756\). Step 2: \(1,500 - 756 = 744\).
Watch Out: Subtracting 42 directly from 1,500. Remind: "There were 18 buses full of kids!"
Say This: "Before we know badges left, how many students arrived on those 18 buses? Multiply 18 by 42 first, then subtract from 1,500."
18 Sanctuary Wildlife Releases 2-Step: Add − Sub
Answer: 823 animals remain
C: Circle 845 birds, 390 small mammals, 412 animals
U: Underline: How many animals are still at the sanctuary?
B: Box: and, released back, still at
Plan: Step 1: Total animals sheltered. Step 2: Subtract released.
S: Step 1: \(845 + 390 = 1,235\). Step 2: \(1,235 - 412 = 823\).
Watch Out: Subtracting 390 from 845 first. Ask: "Are mammals leaving or being cared for?"
Say This: "Add birds and mammals together to find how many animals were there in all. If 412 were released into nature, subtract 412."
19 Jordan's Lawn Care Earnings Extra Info • Mult − Sub
Answer: $235 left
C: Circle $15 for every lawn, 24 lawns, $125
U: Underline: How much money does Jordan have left?
E: Cross out "52 years old"! Neighbor's age is extra info.
Plan: Step 1: Total earned (\(24 \times 15\)). Step 2: Subtract supplies.
S: Step 1: \(24 \times \$15 = \$360\). Step 2: \(\$360 - \$125 = \$235\).
Watch Out: Subtracting 52 from money. Prompt: "Is 52 a dollar amount or an age?"
Say This: "Eliminate trap! Cross out '52 years old' right now. Jordan mowed 24 lawns at $15 each. Multiply to find total earnings, then subtract $125."
20 Cafeteria Milk Orders 2-Step: Mult + Mult (or Dist)
Answer: 1,440 milk cartons
C: Circle 35 cases, 24 cartons, 25 cases, 24 cartons
U: Underline: How many milk cartons were ordered in all?
B: Box: cartons per case, in all
Method A: \((35 \times 24) + (25 \times 24) = 840 + 600 = 1,440\)
Shortcut: Add cases first: \(35 + 25 = 60\); \(60 \times 24 = 1,440\)
Watch Out: Adding 35 + 24 instead of recognizing cases vs cartons.
Say This: "Notice both milk cases hold 24 cartons! You can multiply each kind separately, OR add the cases together first (35 + 25 = 60) and multiply by 24!"
Coaching Tip: Have students draw a big physical 'X' over eliminated extra info to keep their workspace clear. Para Script • Page 4 of 5
Word Problem Codebreakers • Paraprofessional Guide • Problems 21–25 (Mastery Challenge)
Sheet 5 (Final Boss Problems)
21 Carnival Prize Tokens 2-Step: Div + Add
Answer: 85 tokens in each bucket
C: Circle 480 prize tokens, 8 buckets, 25 bonus tokens
U: Underline: How many tokens are in each bucket now?
B: Box: divided equally into 8, added 25 bonus, each bucket now
Plan: Step 1: Starting tokens per bucket. Step 2: Add 25 bonus.
S: Step 1: \(480 \div 8 = 60\). Step 2: \(60 + 25 = 85\).
Watch Out: Adding 25 to 480 first and then dividing (creates an awkward fraction). Follow order!
Say This: "First, find out how many tokens were in one bucket at the beginning: divide 480 by 8. Once you get 60, add the 25 bonus tokens."
22 Liam's Bike Trail Passes Extra Info • Sub + Div
Answer: $38 each week
C: Circle $350 savings, $46 helmet, 8 weeks
U: Underline: How much did Liam spend each week?
E: Cross out "2% interest"! Not needed for spending.
Plan: Step 1: Money left after helmet. Step 2: Divide by 8 weeks.
S: Step 1: \(\$350 - \$46 = \$304\). Step 2: \(\$304 \div 8 = \$38\).
Watch Out: Trying to calculate 2% of $350. Remind: "Does the question ask about interest?"
Say This: "Cross out '2% interest' right away. How much money was left after buying the helmet? Subtract 46 from 350. Now split that 304 over 8 weeks."
23 Souvenir Pin Comparison 2-Step: Mult − Mult
Answer: 250 more pins
C: Circle 50 pin packs, 8 pins each, 30 boxes, 5 pins each
U: Underline: How many more pins were sold in packs than boxes?
B: Box: How many more... than, each
Plan: Step 1: Packs (\(50 \times 8\)). Step 2: Boxes (\(30 \times 5\)). Step 3: Subtract.
S: \(50 \times 8 = 400\); \(30 \times 5 = 150\); \(400 - 150 = 250\).
Watch Out: Subtracting packs \(50 - 30 = 20\). Must find total pins first!
Say This: "Comparison alert! Find pin pack total first (50 times 8), then box total (30 times 5). Subtract to find how many more pins were in packs."
24 Citrus Orchard Packaging 2-Step: Mult then Div
Answer: 108 market sacks
C: Circle 36 crates, 45 oranges in each, 15 oranges each
U: Underline: How many sacks did they pack?
B: Box: in each crate, repackaged all, holding 15 each
Plan: Step 1: Total oranges (\(36 \times 45\)). Step 2: Divide by 15.
S: Step 1: \(36 \times 45 = 1,620\). Step 2: \(1,620 \div 15 = 108\).
Watch Out: Zero in quotient! 15 into 16 is 1 (rem 1), 15 into 12 is 0! (Answer is 108, not 18).
Say This: "Multiply 36 times 45 to find all the oranges harvested. When dividing 1,620 by 15, watch out: does 15 fit into 12? Don't forget the zero in your quotient!"
25 Theater Opening Night 2-Step: Mult − Sub
Answer: 85 seats available
C: Circle 28 rows, 18 seats in each row, 419 seats
U: Underline: How many seats are still available for general admission?
B: Box: in each row, reserved in advance, still available
Plan: Step 1: Total theater seats. Step 2: Subtract reserved.
S: Step 1: \(28 \times 18 = 504\). Step 2: \(504 - 419 = 85\).
Watch Out: Regrouping across zero in \(504 - 419\): borrow from 50 tens -> 49 tens, 14 ones.
Say This: "Final problem! Find total seats first: 28 rows times 18 seats. Then subtract the 419 reserved seats. Regroup carefully across the zero."
Coaching Tip: Debrief with the student: "Which strategy step (C, U, B, E, or S) helped you the most today?" Para Script • Page 5 of 5
