Math Stories is a free web tool that turns fill-in-the-blank prompts into math story problems. Students pick a character, a funny object, a weird place, and an adjective — then the app generates problems across multiple operations. Spin the wheel for fresh numbers with the same silly answers.
What It Looks Like
The character names, objects, places, and adjectives come from the student’s answers. The numbers and operations come from the app. Spin the wheel and the words stay the same but the math changes.
How It Works
Answer Prompts
Students fill in questions: character names, a funny thing to collect, a silly adjective, a weird place to visit.
Get a Problem
The app generates a math story problem using those answers, with grade-appropriate numbers and operations.
Spin for More
A spinning wheel generates a new problem — same silly words, new numbers. Each spin is a new challenge.
Who It’s For
Math Stories works across grades 3–8. The app adjusts number ranges and operations based on grade level. Third graders get subtraction within 1,000. Eighth graders get multi-step problems with decimals and fractions.
Classroom Ideas
Math Stories works as a warm-up, a center activity, or a take-home assignment. The prompt setup takes 2–3 minutes. Each spin generates a new problem in seconds.
Whole-Class Warm-Up
Project on the screen. Have the class answer the prompts together — vote on the funniest character name, the weirdest place. Then solve the first problem as a group. Spin for a second problem and have students solve independently.
Partner Centers
Pairs of students fill in the prompts together, then take turns spinning and solving. One student solves while the other checks. Switch roles on the next spin.
Homework & Family Math
Students fill in the prompts at home with a family member. The silly answers make the problems memorable. Students bring their favorite generated problem back to class to share and solve.
Problem-Writing Practice
After generating a few problems, ask students to write their own story problem using the same silly words but a different operation. Constructing a problem that works requires understanding the math structure underneath.
By Grade Level
The app generates problems based on the grade level or operation type selected at the start.
| Grade | Operations | Number Range |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | Addition, Subtraction | Within 1,000 |
| Grade 4 | Multiplication, Division | Up to 4-digit × 1-digit |
| Grade 5 | Multi-step (all four operations) | Whole numbers, intro decimals |
| Grade 6 | Fractions, Decimals, Ratios | Mixed numbers, unit rates |
| Grades 7–8 | Proportions, Percent, Multi-step | Rational numbers, percent change |
Sharing & Display
Generated problems can be saved in PDF format or copied in PNG format to the clipboard. Print a set for a worksheet, paste into a slide deck, or drop into a class newsletter.
The app runs in any browser on any device. No download, no account, no login.