The school bus picked up 17 students at the first stop.  At the second stop they picked up 14 students.  How many students were picked up altogether?  

CUBES Step 1 is...

CUBES 

U is to underline the question which asks

How many students were picked up altogether?

CUBES:  Box key words.  Which key word tells us this problem is addition?

Next, in CUBES, we make an equation.  For this problem our equation could be:

What is the answer for 17 + 14.  Use your place value mat if it helps.

Use your place value mat to add 245 + 136.

Use your place value mat to subtract 145 - 17