Instead of just using numbers like you would with typical math problems, use items that the children can visualize for word problems. For example, "Susy has three apples. She gave one apple to her friend, Tom. How many apples does Susy have?"
By first grade, children are not only familiar with telling time, but also the phrases associated with telling time, such as half-past, quarter-till and quarter-after. Use these as well as hours and minutes to create simple time-telling word problems. For example, "Bob took a nap at 2:00 and slept for two and one-half hours. At what time did Bob wake up from his nap?"
First-graders are also still mastering the concepts of spatial sense, and words such as left, middle, right, above, below and middle. Try a word problem that notes where items are in relation to others. "Three friends are playing on a jungle gym. Susy is to the left of Jim. Tom is below Susy, but above Jim. Draw where the three friends are positioned on the jungle gym."
Counting change and equivalent coins is mastered in first grade. Help your students get a better grip on this subject with word problems such as, "Joe has three quarters, two dimes and a nickel. How much money does Joe have?"