Problem solving: model, pattern, eliminate, guess and check
Four ways to solve a problem: list every case in order, find the pattern, cross out what can't be, and guess, check and improve.
- France: grade 5
- Germany: grade 1
- Iran: grade 2
- Syria: grade 4
- Ukraine: grade 3
- Russia: grade 4
Guide
The Iranian Year 2 book teaches one problem-solving strategy in each chapter. This studio puts four of them side by side, one per mission: make a model (list every case in order), look for a pattern, eliminate impossible cases, and guess and check. The problems come from those lessons.
Make a model: "to find every case in a problem, write them down in order so that you know none is missing." Your child writes the cases in a table; the "altogether" column works itself out.
Look for a pattern: your child sees the jumps between the numbers (+2, +3, +4) and carries the pattern on. The usual slip is to repeat the last jump.
Eliminate: every case is already written; your child crosses out the ones that break the rule. Guess and check: your child guesses a number, the table shows whether it is too small or too big, and the next guess gets better. The "why" question at the end of each mission is the look-back step.