Word problems can be based on the time of year that a lesson is being taught. For example, an autumn math word problem for second graders would read like this: A group of school children were walking to school when they saw two flocks of geese. The first flock had 27 geese in it and the second flock had 42 geese in it. How many geese were seen all together? This math word problem uses the migrating geese of fall to incorporate the season into a simple math equation.
Holiday celebrations can be educational with holiday math word problems. Not only do math problems based on holidays teach students math, but they can also teach them about holidays such as Earth Day. A math word problem based on Earth Day for second-graders might read like this: Sam was helping his dad clean out the garage. Sam found 16 bottles, 46 newspapers and 4 aluminum cans. How many recyclables did Sam find?
Current events are important for any age group to be familiar with. Weather, such as a blizzard occurring, is an easy type of current events for second-grade students to understand. By incorporating current events into math word problems, you can discuss both math and what's going on in your area with the students. An example of a math word problem based on current events is as followed: The weatherman says that there is a 70 percent chance of snow today and an 80 percent chance of snow tomorrow. What does this mean? What is the difference in the chance of snow between the two days?
Counting money is an important skill to learn for elementary school students. By second grade, most students understand the different amounts associated with each coin and bill. Incorporating money into word problems help students understand realistic scenarios involving money and how to figure out how much money should be exchanged in different situations. A math word problem that incorporates counting money is as follows: Timmy has six pennies, four quarters and seven dimes. He goes to an apple stand and buys one apple for $0.16. How much money does Timmy have left?