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 3–5. The app adjusts number ranges and operations based on grade level and topic. Third graders work with addition and subtraction within 1,000. Fifth graders tackle 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 and topic selected at the start.
| Grade | Topics | Number Range |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | Operations, Base Ten, Fractions, Measurement, Geometry, Money | Within 1,000 |
| Grade 4 | Operations, Base Ten, Fractions, Measurement, Geometry, Money | Up to 4-digit × 1-digit |
| Grade 5 | Operations, Base Ten, Fractions, Measurement, Geometry, Money | Whole numbers, decimals, fractions |
Sharing & Display
The app runs in any browser on any device — no download, no account, no login. To get students to exactly the right grade and topic, use the launcher below. Pick your settings, then share the link or QR code with your class.
The Copy URL button copies a direct link with your grade, topic, and concept pre-selected. Paste it into Google Classroom, a slide deck, a QR worksheet, or a class newsletter. Students open the link and land directly on the right content — no setup needed on their end.
The QR code updates live as you change settings. Click “Expand QR Code” to project it full-screen for students to scan, or screenshot it for a handout.
Once students are inside the app, generated problems can be saved as PDF or copied as PNG to the clipboard — useful for printing worksheets or pasting into assignments.