You are looking for an ingredient that shows the number on the cauldron.
You start with the first number of a path.
At each step there is a plus sign or a minus sign.
Work it out step by step and write the result in the next circle.
Is the last number you worked out the one on the cauldron? Then circle the ingredient.
Example
For parents
What does this exercise practice?
This task practices chained addition and subtraction in a playful journey story: children calculate ahead and write down in-between results systematically.
Common pitfalls
Children skip the in-between circles and work out only the final result. Stress that each circle needs its own result, because it is the starting point for the next step.
How to practice at home
Set up a number journey: start is 3. Then +2, what are you now? Then -1, where are you? Three steps, no pencil needed. Playable in the car, on a walk or at breakfast.
Related: Calculation, Caterpillar