Problem solving: sub-problems, simpler cases and systematic lists
Break a big problem into steps, solve a simpler version first, list every case in order, and choose a strategy yourself.
- UK: Year 4
- France: grade 2
- Germany: grade 1
- Iran: grade 2
- Ukraine: grade 2
- Russia: grade 2
Guide
This studio practises three of the strategies taught in the Iranian Year 2 book: break the problem into smaller steps, solve a simpler problem first, and list every case in order. In the last mission your child chooses the strategy.
Sub-problems: "some problems can be turned into a problem in steps." Your child writes two number sentences; the answer to the first one (the number in the box) joins the numbers for the second one.
Simpler problem: the book suggests using 150 instead of 147 and 10 instead of 11, to see more easily whether to add or subtract. Your child writes a sentence with the easy numbers first, then with the real ones.
Systematic list: your child writes every number in order in a table (all the ones starting with 5 first); the "number" column builds itself. The "why" question at the end of each mission is the look-back step.