Math · Stage 1
Two-Step Problems with a Bar Model
Solve word problems that take two steps — draw the parts and the whole, then work one step at a time.
✦ Math📘 Stage 1 · S1⏱ ~11 min🧒 Ages 5–6★ Free to start
solve two-step word problems by working one step at a time with a bar model
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Kavi's Bake Sale 🧁
Kavi bakes 8 muffins 🧁 and 6 cookies 🍪 for the bake sale. Then Kavi gives 5 treats to friends. "How many are left?" Kavi thinks. "I can't do it in one jump — first I find the whole, then I take some away. Two steps! Let me draw a bar model so I can see every part."
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What your child will learn
1Step 1 — a bar model combines the partsA bar model puts two parts together to make a whole. Kavi baked 8 muffins and 6 cookies: the parts are 8 and 6, and the whole is what they make together. Tap more ▶ and ◀ less and watch the two parts always add back to the whole.
2Step 2 — act on the whole (count on or take away)Once step one gives you the whole, step two is one more move — add more, or take some away. Hop along the number line to do the second step. Every hop is the same size, so you can count on or back safely.
3The whole and its parts — find any missing oneWhen you know the whole and one part, the other part is whole − part. These are all the ways a whole of 14 splits into two parts. Cover one number and say its partner — that is exactly what step two does when you take some away.
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A peek inside
Kavi baked 8 muffins 🧁 and 6 cookies 🍪, then gave away 5 treats. How many treats are left?
Bar model: part 8 + part 6 = whole. Step 1 → 8 + 6 = 14. Step 2 → 14 − 5 = 9
Try this at home: Step 1: 5 + 4 = ___. Step 2: take away 3 → ___
Ready to play and learn?
Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.
Part of Math · Stage 1 · S1 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.