Word problem “key words” charts abound on lesson-sharing sites like Teachers Pay Teachers. These graphic organizers are designed to remind students which math words signal different operations.

Word problems tend to be complicated in part because of their descriptive language. Students often don’t understand what exactly they’re being asked, especially when the problem includes ...

“Word-problem solving in lower grades is one of the better indicators of overall school success in K-12,” said Lynn Fuchs, a research professor at Vanderbilt University. In a large national survey, ...