Lesson 3:
Problem-Solving in Silence

Cats and Quiet Problem-Solving: What We Can Learn

Marguerite Gérard's cat paintings show us different ways people solve problems with patience and focus. Just like these people working quietly with their cats, we can use silence to help us solve problems in school.

In these three paintings, we see people who must:

• Stay calm and focused

• Watch carefully before acting

• Solve different problems with patience

• Create the right environment for success

• Work without rushing or making noise

Each painting teaches us something special about problem-solving:

The Triumph of Minette shows a woman balancing multiple things at once - her cat, her dress, and staying composed. This is like when we have to keep track of multiple steps in a math problem without getting confused.

The Angora Cat shows a woman patiently working with her cat, giving it clear instructions. This reminds us that some problems need careful teaching and training - like when we need to take time to understand new concepts.

The Cat's Lunch shows someone carefully feeding a cat, making sure it gets exactly what it needs. This is like checking our work carefully to make sure each part is correct before we finish.

When we work in silence, we can:

• Hear our own thoughts better

• Focus more deeply on each step

• Notice details we might miss in a noisy room

• Think without interruption

• Feel calmer when facing hard problems

These beautiful paintings remind us that just like working with cats requires patience, silence, and careful attention, solving problems in school works best when we create a quiet space to think clearly and work step-by-step.