---
title: "Guided Multi-Step Problem Solving"
description: "With teacher guidance, make sense of multi-step and more complex problems by planning a pathway to the solution, identifying relevant information, and choosing appropriate operations"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/guided-multi-step-problem-solving-mt_O_UOTiMvT_
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/guided-multi-step-problem-solving-mt_O_UOTiMvT_.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Guided Multi-Step Problem Solving

With teacher guidance, make sense of multi-step and more complex problems by planning a pathway to the solution, identifying relevant information, and choosing appropriate operations

Subject: Mathematics · Area: Mathematical Thinking · Ages 6 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/guided-multi-step-problem-solving-mt_O_UOTiMvT_

## Ready when they can

- When given a word problem within 20 or 100, identify the known information and what needs to be found
- Try a strategy (drawing, number line, known fact) and switch approach if the first attempt stalls
- Check the reasonableness of an answer using estimation or a different method

## Lesson: Solving problems step by step

Some problems take more than one step to solve, like tracking stickers you get and give away. First, find out what you already know. Then plan what to do first, and what to do next.

*(drawing: Sam starts at 8. He hops to 13 (+5), then back to 10 (-3).)*

**Example.** Sam has 8 stickers. He buys 5 more. Then he gives 3 to his friend. How many stickers does Sam have now? First: 8 + 5 = 13. Then: 13 - 3 = 10. Sam has 10 stickers.

If your first idea does not work, try a different one. Draw a picture, use a number line, or think of a fact you already know.

When you get an answer, stop and ask: does this make sense? Check with a rough guess or by solving it a different way.

**Recap.** Big problems get easier with a plan: find what you know, try a step, and check your answer makes sense.

## Practice

18 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Feeling of not understanding](https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/feeling-of-not-understanding-mt_klyw-tdlhP)
- [Addition and subtraction within 20](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/addition-and-subtraction-within-20-mt_m1W6nTQJ2b)
- [Planning a task](https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/planning-a-task-mt_QR3vxbN1o4)
- [Early Word Problems](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/early-word-problems-mt_VAWV_l7J0D)
- [Making Sense of Problems](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/making-sense-of-problems-mt_WkKkb7W9Qd)

## Opens up

- [Breaking Tasks into Steps](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/breaking-tasks-into-steps-mt_miGrca8zaS)
- [Choosing a strategy](https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/choosing-a-strategy-mt_q7zxOloj_L)
- [Multi-Step Problem Solving](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/multi-step-problem-solving-mt_RKeheOL9uo)