Primary school Math

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

[quote]Do you all think that primary school math very difficult nowadays? Sometimes when my girl ask me some problem sums, I could take 15-20 mins to figure out the answer.....and to think that last time my Math very good.[/quote]
The thing is even if we are able to solve the math problem, the next issue will be how am I going to explain to ensure my daughter understand.
[quote]The Challenge is how to make them understand math concept espeically to those lower primary school students.[/quote]Good grasp of fundamental is extremely important. Without it, the child will definitely be lost once hit upper primary.

[gajidouma]

[quote]
knowing mutiplication alone is not enough...have to know the concept,
eg that 4 baskets of 3 fruits is 4x3 and not 3x4; that 4x3 is 4groups of 3 or Four3s etc etc.
Take a peek at P1 math http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=423&start=0 if you intend to do P1 math preparation.[/quote]
Excuse me????? 4 baskets of 3 fruits, to me, should be 3x4!!!!! but I won't say 4x3 is wrong, it is just how you interpret it... Is it me getting old or the world is changing too fast??

[jedamum]

gajidouma:

Excuse me????? 4 baskets of 3 fruits, to me, should be 3x4!!!!! but I won't say 4x3 is wrong, it is just how you interpret it... Is it me getting old or the world is changing too fast??

hi gajidouma,
with reference to my boy's P1 text, it is 4x3.
think we have discussed that in the link i post earlier.

[corneyAmber]

gajidouma:

Excuse me????? 4 baskets of 3 fruits, to me, should be 3x4!!!!! but I won't say 4x3 is wrong, it is just how you interpret it... Is it me getting old or the world is changing too fast??

That is because you know what is commutative law but in English terms which is what they are exposed to in P1/P2 phase, they should go according to the English language.

4 baskets of 3 fruits is indeed [ooo],[ooo],[ooo],[ooo] = 4*3.

P1/P2 Math today is adamant in getting children to strengthen their English as a foundation to tackle upper primary challenges.

Hope this help to clarify....yes the world has changed and still changing.

[gajidouma]

Hi jedamum


Thanks for sharing. As long as the examiner won't mark 3x4 wrong... I hope?

and ks2me,

4 baskets of 3 fruits is indeed [ooo],[ooo],[ooo],[ooo] = 4*3. that's why, I would say it should be 3x4, [ooo]x4 sets....

Gee, like I said, as long as 3x4 is not marked wrong... I will bury my head... plus are we testing English or math here?

:roll:

[jedamum]

gajidouma:

Thanks for sharing. As long as the examiner won't mark 3x4 wrong... I hope?

i think that depends on the examiner...some teachers even deduct marks for bad handwriting...

[gajidouma]

jedamum:

gajidouma:

Thanks for sharing. As long as the examiner won't mark 3x4 wrong... I hope?

i think that depends on the examiner...some teachers even deduct marks for bad handwriting...

Then I will confront the teacher who marks it wrong.

[jedamum]

gajidouma:

Then I will confront the teacher who marks it wrong.

don't worry...the text book probably will state which method...even if your kid raise the differences in class, the teacher will address them.

a lot of math questions involve the understanding of english language...

[corneyAmber]

gajidouma:

jedamum:

[quote=\"gajidouma\"]
Thanks for sharing. As long as the examiner won't mark 3x4 wrong... I hope?

i think that depends on the examiner...some teachers even deduct marks for bad handwriting...

Then I will confront the teacher who marks it wrong. [/quote]At the school level, the teachers have been coached to mark things wrong as long as it differs from what they are trying to test, yes it sounds regimented but the teacher is not testing what the child knows as pre-knowledge or creativity of the mind but what the child has understood in his/her class. And it is true that lower primary Math is indeed gravitating towards a mastery of the English language as a foundation as mentioned. In this case where the English language is featured, I will not challenge the teacher but there may be instances where working method differs to derive same answer without English in the way, those I would have a chat with the teacher to understand why it is not acceptable.

As for bad handwriting, penmanship is important especially at P1/P2 level, if by the time one gets to P5/P6 and still have illegible handwriting, I would say good luck for PSLE. Just like we can complain teachers set ambiguous questions, they can claim our child gives ambiguous answers. Bottomline is, I could focus on the frustrating bit of things but I would rather ensure my child has a right foundation set and soon all these frustrations will be behind you. Unless your child has a serious medical problem relating to writing which should be highlighted to the teacher, learning good penmanship is a life skill.

In PSLE, be rest assured, they will be marked correct either way for both answers at higher levels.

[gajidouma]

hmmm... I see your point.


I don't deny English comprehension does play an important part in solving math problems, what I am trying to say is it should not go to the extreme where, for example, in previous case where \"four baskets of 3 fruits\" has to be 4x3, instead of 3x4... just because English put it this way ....that's ridiculous to me... :shock:

I guess I need to study P1,P2 textbooks and find out what is going to be tested before I can coach my child no matter how simple the concept itself is...... God help us parents!

Jokes aside, I see your points ks2me, thanks for sharing.