Students who have the necessary computational skills can solve word problems in mathematics only if they can comprehend the language of the problem. In order to best teach reading comprehension of mathematical word problems, teachers should consider the following steps: (1) prepare for teaching a problem by analyzing the ways the problem can be solved correctly, and identifying the words in the problem which suggest that process; (2) give the students guided practice in solving a sample word problem by letting them see, step by step, how the problem can be solved; and (3) involve students in problem solving by asking them to supply some of the answers and then gradually release them from direct instruction until they can solve the problems completely on their own. (A sample word problem illustrating these three steps is included.) (SRT)