Buttons and Bears                                           (Number, Level 1)

Problem
Mother bear is making her 5 bear cubs new coats.  The coats have 3 buttons each.   How many buttons does Mother bear need?

What is this problem about?
This problem involves repeated addition which is a prelude to multiplication.. It can lead to counting by threes.

Achievement Objectives
Number (Level 1)
- model and explain addition calculations with a sum of up to 20

Mathematical Processes
- devise and use problem solving strategies (act it out, draw a picture)
- use equipment appropriately

Resources Required
teddy bears
buttons
Blackline master of the problem (English)
Blackline master of the problem (Maaori)

Specific learning outcomes
The children will be able to:
- count groups of three to 15
- use equipment to model and add sets of three

1. Read the problem to the class.
2. Ask the children to identify the important information in the problem – highlight these.
3. Brainstorm for ways to solve the problem.
4. If they suggest drawing a picture encourage them to think about the details required in the drawing to solve the problem. It is common for young children to "get lost" in the details of their drawings and lose focus on the problem.
5. Let the children solve the problem in pairs. As they work encourage them to explain what they are doing.
6. Share solutions.

Extension to the problem
If there were five bear cubs in the family how many buttons would the shop need to buy?

Other contexts for the problem
Triceratops and horns (3 horns per dinosaur)
Wheels on tricycles
Insect bites (3 bites per child)