P2 Math - General Discussion
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[Moderator's note: Done
]ryankwek:
chiefKS,By the way, he is in P1 now.....
can merge this thread with the http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1543&start=0 thread? cos i think is in the P1 syllabus. this way, it's easier to find. thanks! -
EN:
Very nicely put. Thanks for sharing.Hi ryankwek
This is the method I use.
1. 5 is 1 less than _
I teach my kids to close the number that comes before \"the less than\" or \"more than\". For this eg, he will need to close number 1. He will then read it as 5 is less than _____. If he understands concept more or less, he should know that the blank should be filled with bigger number. Since the answer must be a bigger number, he needs to add instead of minus.
2. _ is 1 less than 3
Close the number before the less than again. The question will read as what is less than 3. The blank must me a number smaller than 3. So must minues in order to get smaller number.
Hope this will help. -
To everyone, I'm glad the posting helps.
To buds, the answer is no. I'm a mummy who learns a thing or two while I teach my kids. -
Hmm....while the method does help in helping the child knows that he needs a bigger or smaller number...it doesn't explain the concept that this type of question wants to put across. Not to sound picky.....but I had the same problem with my DD (she is now in P1)...still trying to find the exact method so that when she reads the question...she understands what it is asking for.
Anyone else with other methods to share??? I hope it hadn't offended anyone by making this comment. I saw my DD doing the subtraction blindly after reading the question. But when I asked her to explain it back to me....she couldn't. :? I dun want her to end up learning things the way I did during my time....which is alot of memory work.
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Hi funfantastic4
No. I’m not offended. It’s good that you notice your dd is actually blindly doing subtraction instead of understanding why subtraction is needed. When I explain the method that I use, I have this assumption that the kids understood the more or less concept. Another assumption that I missed to state is the concept of number lines. You might want to use the number lines concept to explain to her why subtraction (for this eg) is needed.
Of course there are other ways to solve a given math problem. That is how me & ds will need to scrutinize each other method to see which is the preferred one. Our conclusion will be, which ever is easy to understand & apply. -
Hi
Anyone can advise how to build math foundation during pre-schoold so that they won’t be so stress when go to P1?
How are you all "store" multiplication table in your kids brains? do sing a long or use flash card? They should know up to where before go to P1? -
Hi Addoil,
I think you can refer to Buds’ blog. There is one article on Teaching Mathematics to pre-schoolers… many useful ideas, there.
Learning multiplication time tables or other Maths concept is not just simply a matter of memorising formulae but more importantly, it is a developmental process which results in understanding and application.
There are many methods to develop mathematical thinking… some advocate abacus, others may believe in montessori … whatever it is, do make sure there is understanding… Primary school maths tests more than computation of numbers especially as the level goes higher… A lot of understanding and analytical ability are required to do well.
Just to add, I’ve have never drilled my children in their time-tables… they were introduced to abacus since kindergarten and understood that multiplication is actually additions of numbers. They knew that 12 x 12 is 144 , not because they have memorised it , but they actually understood it as 12 groups of 12 and used their abacus techniques to derive the answer. Over time, it became automatic … -
Hi csc
Thks for your remind, Understanding is more important, we should avoid to let them learn blindly…
Regarding the abacus, normal abacus in childcare centre is it enough to develop their understanding & application? Some of my frenz said that both hand is better than one hand… -
Heyya EN,
I'm sure that many parents have different ways of \"helping\"
their children with this twisted common question. I suppose
its more of a language question than that of a Math one.
I agree that using a number line helps in working out the
answer, however a child is still to know what the question
asked for. Hence its more of knowing the basic - is it more
or is it less...
If a child is efficient in that understanding, i suppose no other
methods are needed for such a question. However, in the case
of your method, it sure is a quick way to come to an answer.
In order not to waste time pondering over just that one question,
in case of a dilemma kinda situation, children may wanna use that
kinda short cut. Tho my kiddie doesn't have too much of a problem
with similar concept questions ( so far - crossing fingers ), if i ever
do see her in doubt, i might use your method as a \"quick spare hand\".
For the understanding part, i suppose if workings are to be done..
If the question is, 5 is 1 less than _____?
Child may do working as in 5+1=6.
Now, when child proceeds to write answer as in 5 is 1 less than 6.
Its time for checkmate. I use this checkmate to help my kiddie assess
her answers after she has completed her sums. Mummy can't be there
to check for her all the time right? So, though most parents are in hot
pursuit of getting children how to find answers, the importance of how
to check the answers found, is of equal importance... ( to me! )
So, back to checkmate...
I teach my kiddie to check the answer by tracking backwards.
6-1=5. Does it give the answer back to the first given number - 5?
If yes, then now read the question again with the answer and justify
the accuracy. Child reads, 5 is 1 less than 6. Makes sense?
If correct, then checkmate. When we do it together, we'll even shout
out \"CHECKMATE\" loudly in unison as an achievement cheer. And that
makes her happy... So, makes me happy too lah. Hey, we're doing
mind boggling Math here! A smile or a luagh notes enjoying the activity
immensely. Now, how many children really.... truly... honest to goodness
enjoys Maths like its a hobby, right? Unless if its a potential Maths
professor / wizard or a Mathematician ala the guy in the movie -
A Beautiful Mind.
Her previous pre-school also taught her how to do the ball and strikes
kinda diagram, which is additional help ( for small numbers ). I also do
not mind her adding that to her workings to help her check.
I always remind her, when doing Maths paper the dirtier ( with workings )
the better, so the teacher can see how it took you great lengths to find
the answers to the questions. Unless a child has bionic-mental-claculation
mind, then the paper might be clean. Or else, don't tell me the answers
came down from the sky...
Similarly, on another typical P1 addition question without carry over.
>TU
>23
+55
____
____
For Maths, always start from right side numbers first.
The numbers aligned on the right are called units / ones.
Units are single digit numbers from 1 to 9. ( 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 )
3+5=8
Then, followed by... ( Numbers aligned beside the units called tens )
2+5=7
I was happy to silently observe that my kiddie carried out
the checkmate method i taught her. Hubs wud have just
screamed if she got the answer wrong and tell her to do it again.
I heard her whisper to herself....
\"Now, lets check 8-5=3 yeaiy.... and 7-5=2.... yeaiy..
Correct mummy... The answer is 78, and I already checked.
Checkmate!
:celebrate:
Not to disillusion anyone here, this takes patience, practise and
discipline. Not a one-hit wonder kinda thing.. It worked for my
kiddie. If my sharing helped others along the way, that wud be a
plus..
Disclaimer : No one solution is generally applicable to all/everyone.
If yes, that there is one quick fix for all, then good.
Which only serves to point out that everyone has one-track mind.
Which we do not...
buds... signing out.
PS : EN, tks for sharing your method.
When in hair-pulling situation i'm glad i learnt it from you.
Much easier than my lor sor workings, definitely! Hahahaaa! -
Heyya Addoil,
I’d love to cover this thing on counting with fingers.
One hand or both hands, right?
I have one way i do it with my kiddies.
Talk to you soon.
Now tired already…
PS - How have you and your kid been?
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