Preparing kids for P5 in 2011

[Brenda10]

JRLam:

Thanks all. Ya, all these concur with my conclusion after flipping thru the Visible Thinking (I have both Onsponge and Challenging Maths). That 'Visible Thinking' is the simplest of all 3, good to boast morale esp if the kids totally 'catch-no-ball', when there is no point to go to the other 2 books. Like what Pixiedust suggested, \"Visible Thinking' is good for teaching ahead though, cos it is quite comprehensive and step-by-step, so I am going to do that for my P2 dd, who still 'have time'!


Personally, I find 'Challenging Maths'\" tips more comprehensive. I refer to that when I don't understand the explanation from \"OnSponge\".. so always have 2 books with me when helping son with hw from the latter... super KS right! But finally my son can see the benefit of learning the \"Unit Transfer\" method now coz he is able to use that to solve quite a few questions from Top Sch exam papers, which were previously considered as 'too chim' for him! So glad that we are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel ...

Thanks all!

Hi, this was our experience last year when solving the top school papers. Once the child is able to grasp the concept of \"Unit Transfer\" and able to convert fraction to ratio or percentage to fraction or ratio etc, then you would see a less stress of P6 lah.

[BeContented]

Brenda10:

Hi, this was our experience last year when solving the top school papers. Once the child is able to grasp the concept of \"Unit Transfer\" and able to convert fraction to ratio or percentage to fraction or ratio etc, then you would see a less stress of P6 lah.

Hi, have been seeing this 'unit transfer' term being mentioned. Can share where can I find out more? Is it meant for P6? Found in textbook or other sources? I'll like to understand it too

[Brenda10]

cwc:

Brenda10:

Hi, this was our experience last year when solving the top school papers. Once the child is able to grasp the concept of \"Unit Transfer\" and able to convert fraction to ratio or percentage to fraction or ratio etc, then you would see a less stress of P6 lah.

Hi, have been seeing this 'unit transfer' term being mentioned. Can share where can I find out more? Is it meant for P6? Found in textbook or other sources? I'll like to understand it too

Hi cwc

You can find it at onpsonge Chapter 3- ratio. Some example and exercise on fraction and percentage questions also using the similar concpet.

For challenging maths copy, Chapter 2 - chapter 7 .

Hope the above information useful.

[BeContented]

Brenda10:

cwc:

[quote=\"Brenda10\"] Hi, this was our experience last year when solving the top school papers. Once the child is able to grasp the concept of \"Unit Transfer\" and able to convert fraction to ratio or percentage to fraction or ratio etc, then you would see a less stress of P6 lah.

Hi, have been seeing this 'unit transfer' term being mentioned. Can share where can I find out more? Is it meant for P6? Found in textbook or other sources? I'll like to understand it too

Hi cwc

You can find it at onpsonge Chapter 3- ratio. Some example and exercise on fraction and percentage questions also using the similar concpet.

For challenging maths copy, Chapter 2 - chapter 7 .

Hope the above information useful.[/quote]Hi Brenda,
thanks a lot. Will check out the books. Appreciate it

[janet88]

HI Brenda,

When friends told me Maths in P5 is tough, I really didn’t understand how they defined ‘tough’…to me, I thought the questions were tricky and challenging. Now pic is clearer to me…it’s not tricky but questions involved diff methods of solving. To begin with, foundation must be strong but my son is weak. Hubby explained to me that he must practice and be familar with different ways of solving it…be it algebra, models, branching method…all of which are greek to me.

Your daughter is really capable to do well for her Maths…my boy is really struggling and hubby gave up…thus we need to outsource FINALLY.

[Brenda10]

janet_lee88:

HI Brenda,

When friends told me Maths in P5 is tough, I really didn't understand how they defined 'tough'...to me, I thought the questions were tricky and challenging. Now pic is clearer to me...it's not tricky but questions involved diff methods of solving. To begin with, foundation must be strong but my son is weak. Hubby explained to me that he must practice and be familar with different ways of solving it...be it algebra, models, branching method...all of which are greek to me.

Your daughter is really capable to do well for her Maths...my boy is really struggling and hubby gave up...thus we need to outsource FINALLY.

Hi Janet


Don't worry too much.

Read that you have found a teacher and now the important thing is to bring up your ds confident. Perhaps her material is also incorporating Unit method skills too.

DD also takes sometime to understand all these concepts at the beginning.

Like what I mentioned before, you still have this Holiday June, Nov - Dec and next year lah. :hugs:

[janet88]

Brenda10:

janet_lee88:

HI Brenda,

begin with, foundation must be strong but my son is weak. Hubby explained to me that he must practice and be familar with different ways of solving it...be it algebra, models, branching method...all of which are greek to me.

Your daughter is really capable to do well for her Maths...my boy is really struggling and hubby gave up...thus we need to outsource FINALLY.

Hi Janet

Don't worry too much.

Read that you have found a teacher and now the important thing is to bring up your ds confident. Perhaps her material is also incorporating Unit method skills too.

DD also takes sometime to understand all these concepts at the beginning.

Like what I mentioned before, you still have this Holiday June, Nov - Dec and next year lah. :hugs:

Still deciding between one-to-one Vs group...finance plays a part on top of petrol and time travelling. The tutor which neighbour recommended us has yet to get back to me, but the Maths centre just called hubby to inform him that son can start lessons. Having a headache deciding now :?:

[Chenonceau]

janet_lee88:

HI Brenda,

When friends told me Maths in P5 is tough, I really didn't understand how they defined 'tough'...to me, I thought the questions were tricky and challenging. Now pic is clearer to me...it's not tricky but questions involved diff methods of solving. To begin with, foundation must be strong but my son is weak. Hubby explained to me that he must practice and be familar with different ways of solving it...be it algebra, models, branching method...all of which are greek to me.

Your daughter is really capable to do well for her Maths...my boy is really struggling and hubby gave up...thus we need to outsource FINALLY.

My guess is that Brenda is herself REALLY good at Math. Otherwise, there is no way to help the child cope. Also I really salute Brenda for her foresight :salute: in intervening in early P4. This gives her girl a good foundation and because there was early intervention, her girl is far less stressed.

I was just coasting along over confident (and relaxed) because I thought I was an experienced Mommy. This P5 experience has been a humbling one that showed me that I need to keep learning about parenting and adjust my attitudes with the times.

[Chenonceau]

janet_lee88:

Brenda10:

[quote=\"janet_lee88\"]HI Brenda,

begin with, foundation must be strong but my son is weak. Hubby explained to me that he must practice and be familar with different ways of solving it...be it algebra, models, branching method...all of which are greek to me.

Your daughter is really capable to do well for her Maths...my boy is really struggling and hubby gave up...thus we need to outsource FINALLY.

Hi Janet

Don't worry too much.

Read that you have found a teacher and now the important thing is to bring up your ds confident. Perhaps her material is also incorporating Unit method skills too.

DD also takes sometime to understand all these concepts at the beginning.

Like what I mentioned before, you still have this Holiday June, Nov - Dec and next year lah. :hugs:

Still deciding between one-to-one Vs group...finance plays a part on top of petrol and time travelling. The tutor which neighbour recommended us has yet to get back to me, but the Maths centre just called hubby to inform him that son can start lessons. Having a headache deciding now :?:[/quote]Maybe you try group first, and see how? I think it simply needs someone who knows to explain. My hubby picks up really fast and he can explain. Once the kid gets it, it's really easy. One just needs to be taught (which is what the school should do). Group can work if teacher is focused on these techniques specifically. You wanna try Onsponge holiday intensive classes? They focus on these techniques.

But then I dunno your situation, so... just examine the suggestions and decide for yourself lah...

You're right that P5 math needs a strong foundation. Basic computational skills such as plus, minus, 4 operations, multiplication must be fast and accurate. The best training for that is Kumon (I think). Kumon really drills children for speed and accuracy on these basic math skills. And kids develop through the practices a good sense of numbers. Without a Kumon foundation started in P3, I doubt my son can pick up branching and unitary method in 2 weekends and pretty much master it in 4 weekends.

[MUMMYOF3]

Hi mumies,


Can you adv when can i get Challenging Maths Problems Made Easy ? I can’t find it in Popular Bookstore.