Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary

[Mrsbongz]

What i know fr my teaching friends ...for maths, it's a 'layering' kind of process.. it's not that the kids can't use algebra, but more that the teachers need to know that they can understand the concepts well.. models are 1 of the key concepts I believe.. My Dh also tried to teach algebra to my ds, but i stopped him bcos of this reason. It's like they need to get the strong foundation b4 moving on to more difficult concepts.


But the one concept in P1 maths I don't get is the use of number bonds to solve simple addition sentences. Why so complicated when they can just add it up by counting on? :? even my friend teaching pri sch maths thinks it's too troublesome to be useful..

[kohhweelin.010441gmail.010441com]

Mrsbongz:

it's not that the kids can't use algebra, but more that the teachers need to know that they can understand the concepts well.. models are 1 of the key concepts I believe..

Yes, when it comes to Math, it all boils down to understanding the foundational concepts. Take for eg, you don't simply add and subtract, you have to know why sometimes, you need to carry forward and sometimes you need to \"borrow\". I taught my dd all the way down to understanding all these. I don't want her to do for the sake of doing. One can add and subtract mechanically, but without understanding what all these steps mean.

When it comes to fractions, I will explain in-depth what it the denominator or numerator represents, why the proportion remains the same although the fraction was reduced to the simplest form.

When drawing models, I will ensure she fully understands what she is drawing and representing. I like models because it not only trains the kids to draw out their thoughts but also to incorporate logic into them. Everything must be clearly depicted. If one can use algebra to solve a similar problem, it's because the brain is trained to work in logical steps, but not in a relational way. Either way, as long as the child gets the answer, the marks are his/her to keep during PSLE.

[kohhweelin.010441gmail.010441com]

Happy Mama:

Your DD is one lucky child!

You think so? Hmm...don't think your dd wants a mummy like me...hehe...

Running thru some of her old photos now for her to paste in her Science activity book. A sense of nostalgia is triggered and flowing thru me...

[lizhi]

Happy Mama:

Yes, she's very detailed and thorough in her explanation. but we will miss her very soon come next year when her DD gets out of PH (her DD is confirmed a GEPper!)

hehe...definitely she will be chatting with Comfy soon...
btw, E3, this morning, the first one, who said \"happy birthday\" to my dd, was your daughter... thank her :love: :love:

[S6169]

Mrsbongz:

But the one concept in P1 maths I don't get is the use of number bonds to solve simple addition sentences. Why so complicated when they can just add it up by counting on? :? even my friend teaching pri sch maths thinks it's too troublesome to be useful..

I think the number bonds is very useful when you use to it and it should help to speed up the caculation, especially for the bigger number.

[kohhweelin.010441gmail.010441com]

lizhi:

btw, E3, this morning, the first one, who said \"happy birthday\" to my dd, was your daughter... thank her :love: :love:

Oh, she did? Haha...she saw your dd's post in the Class Blog last evening...she is very sharp when it comes to things like this. Your dd was so cute to post her birthday in the midst of her explanation. :lol: :lol:

[Happy Mama]

E3:

Happy Mama:

Your DD is one lucky child!

You think so? Hmm...don't think your dd wants a mummy like me...hehe...

Running thru some of her old photos now for her to paste in her Science activity book. A sense of nostalgia is triggered and flowing thru me...

Yup, I felt the same way too, when I was helping her choose the photos, especially those baby and toddler ones.

[Happy Mama]

E3:

lizhi:

btw, E3, this morning, the first one, who said \"happy birthday\" to my dd, was your daughter... thank her :love: :love:

Oh, she did? Haha...she saw your dd's post in the Class Blog last evening...she is very sharp when it comes to things like this. Your dd was so cute to post her birthday in the midst of her explanation. :lol: :lol:

E3, your DD is so sweet... :love:

Wow your DDs have a class blog? How nice. Wonder why my DD's class doesn't have any. :?

Any chance for me to take a look at the blog? :oops:

[kohhweelin.010441gmail.010441com]

Happy Mama:

Wow your DDs have a class blog? How nice. Wonder why my DD's class doesn't have any. :?

Any chance for me to take a look at the blog? :oops:

It's created by Madam Jenny See. They use it to post comments on research topics and class projects assigned by her. I think it's meant for Responsibility 9's private use. :imsorry:

[lizhi]

E3:

Mrsbongz:

it's not that the kids can't use algebra, but more that the teachers need to know that they can understand the concepts well.. models are 1 of the key concepts I believe..

Yes, when it comes to Math, it all boils down to understanding the foundational concepts. Take for eg, you don't simply add and subtract, you have to know why sometimes, you need to carry forward and sometimes you need to \"borrow\". I taught my dd all the way down to understanding all these. I don't want her to do for the sake of doing. One can add and subtract mechanically, but without understanding what all these steps mean.

When it comes to fractions, I will explain in-depth what it the denominator or numerator represents, why the proportion remains the same although the fraction was reduced to the simplest form.

When drawing models, I will ensure she fully understands what she is drawing and representing. I like models because it not only trains the kids to draw out their thoughts but also to incorporate logic into them. Everything must be clearly depicted. If one can use algebra to solve a similar problem, it's because the brain is trained to work in logical steps, but not in a relational way. Either way, as long as the child gets the answer, the marks are his/her to keep during PSLE.

after have built the foundational concepts, ofcos, the algebra can be used freely...model way is quite basic. i remebered when i was in p3, has tried to bid farewell to this way already...but model is only way to settle problems until p6 here.