Problem
Winter has set in. The three little kittens are very cold and they need mittens. Mother cat decided to make mittens. It takes two balls of wool to make mittens for one kitten. How many balls of wool will mother cat need to make mittens for three little kittens?

Mother cat went shopping to buy balls of wool. One ball of wool costs $1. How much money will mother cat have to spent to buy all the wool she needs?

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

The problem also involves the introduction of money in a setting where the calculations are simple. This part of the problem gives a chance to see how good the children’s one to one correspondence is.

The problem also gives the children the chance to explore strategies such as drawing or using equipment.

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

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

Resources
Model kittens, wool balls.
Blackline master of the problem (English)

Specific Learning Outcomes
Children will be able to:
- count groups of two to 6;
- use equipment to model and add sets of twos.

1. Introduce this problem by reading the poem "3 little kittens who lost their mittens"
2. Pose the problem to the class.
3. Ask the children to identify the important information given in the problem.
4. Brainstorm for ways to solve the problem.
5. As the children work on the problem ask them to explain the strategy they are using:
   Tell me what you are doing?
   How is that helping you solve the problem?
6. Share the solutions.

Other Contexts
Socks or any other garment that comes in pairs can be used.