is it possible to teach p4 math ourselves?

[david59]

I have done some onsponge questions for Primary 5 before. Onsponge Matha is not suitable for average and below average students bcos the questions structured r quite difficult to do. And the model answers that they provided are sometimes more complicated to understand when it could be solved easier.

If you can, teach ur child a variety of methods to solve questions. Otherwise, engage a tutor. It is unfortunate that our educational system cannot be successful without external help, namely the TUTORS

[JonC]

You can, but not easy.

[Brenda10]

Yes, can! But needs to get a few assessment books to refer working solution for similar question when unable to solve questions from those pass year papers.

[24hr-mum]

i think the prob is poor cognitive skill. i m lookg into this instd of tuitn

[david59]

24hr-mum:

i think the prob is poor cognitive skill. i m lookg into this instd of tuitn

First of all, what kind of carelessness? You need to analyze. If she knows how to do but is simply careless, at least you just need to give her some tips to minimize the carelessness.
Eg. due to poor writing like 0 appears like 6 or 9, 3 like 5. Multiply or divide wrongly.
Reading a complex problem sum too quickly n miss out one key word like EACH, MORE THAN, REMAINING, 1/2 KG OF or 1/2 of, etc. Sometimes it is more helpful to highlight such key words.
But I feel that the majority who are average in Maths are because they are not trained to spot the first step to start the process to solving the sum. Sometimes you need to start by working backward, use model or ratio method, guess m check, algebra, substitution n elimination method, etc.
So, you need to determine the root problem. Also, you mentioned her tiredness. Is she overburdened with too much activities n so easily tired out.
Hope this is of some help. God bless.

[eksmummy]

What kind of books are recommended to help kids who are average? My ds who is in P4 cannot cope with onsponge. But I heard that it is the best?

[24hr-mum]

for onsponge u really need to analyse urself first before givg to the kid.

i agree its not an easy bk.
i am using fabian ng. fabian ng’s PSP makes it easier than onsponge to understand the problem sums. but fabian’s worked examples tend to combine steps n u need to analyse first givg teaching.
another bk quite gd is the Must Know Maths Problem Sums and Model Methods by Yee Fook Shiong, EPH. It has lots of detailed examples of diff type of prob sums. easy to understand too.

a pity my gal no time to do. the last time she touched these bks were dec hol last yr. she’s doing exam pprs now. cos i realised section a n b are also challenging for her. so cant just do prob sums

[david59]

eksmummy:

What kind of books are recommended to help kids who are average? My ds who is in P4 cannot cope with onsponge. But I heard that it is the best?

Like I share, Onsponge is suitable for students who can achieve band 1 result. But then some of the methods used by Onsponge are too 'chim' to understand when some easier methods can be used.
You may want to try \"Intensive Math's\" by EPH. It has three levels of difficulty to practice on. Obviously the third level is most difficult. You can see how far your child can cope. If ds can do well, Andrew Er's books will be the next level to try out.
God bless you ur ds.

[KSP]

jmho, onsponge books are very good for building strong foundation for above average students… if one tries to teach then must analyse the examples and questions beforehand (be it P3,4,5 or 6) it’s not like P1 and 2 whereby we just look at the question and know how to solve it… i’m speaking from a normal working parent point of view not a maths tutor or expert…

[snowball]

I have just decided to stop my girl’s (p4) maths tution and teach on my own instead.


I agreed with many parents here, ie. with deternination & hardwork, i can do it !