How do i teach problem-solving to a 6-year old

[cafelatte]

I use PSP by Fabian Ng as the story sums start from simple to more complex :


https://www.popular.com.sg/jsp/product/product_detail.jsp?vca001=112&vpd001=70347

https://www.popular.com.sg/images/product/book/70347.jpg\">

[optimistforum]

Hi cafelatte


I had a look at EPH website for the examples. It is a very difficult book; what is your perception of it? Also, cannot see a P1 to P6 series in it. Am I wrong?

What do you think of Andrew Er books.

However, idf anyone can shed light on the CHallenging Maths P1 to P6 series by Sandya Sundhar, as I would like to find placed to buy them from.

[cafelatte]

It is available from P2-P6. I find it very systematic. It starts with a simpler one step problem with a detailed example and 5 questions for the child to complete understand the concept then move on to adding another concept/step. It is impossible to complete all the questions for each step and also the review questions. I get my child to work through 1-2 questions and if he already grasped the concept, I move on to the next section.


I was using Andrew Er’s books before I switched to Fabian Ng’s. I also attended a for-parents-Maths workshop by Mr Er himself. My personal opinion is the books are alright but I prefer Fabian’s for the systematic approach.

Sorry I can’t help about the books by Sandya Sundhar. Perhaps an email to the publisher to ask for help ?

[optimistforum]

One final question


I have purchased a suite of books by Terry Chew, called Maths Olympiad. Are these worth persevering with; they are essentially problem-solving books.

[cafelatte]

Over here, there are Maths Olympiad competitions and pupils who have good maths sense are trained to solved those questions and compete. Typically, the school Maths exam papers will include 1-2 (we are seeing more these days, sometimes 3) Maths-Olympiad kind of questions. My personal opinion is that these are high-order thinking questions and worth persevering if the child has a good grasp of the basic Maths concepts already.

[clarabella]

optimistforum:

I have purchased the EPH publications Challenging Maths, by Sandya Sundhar. I believe these are great. They are out-of-print. Anyone know where I can by P1 to P6. Popular do not sell. I would like to purchase another set for younger son.

Hi optimistforum
I saw the Challenging Maths series by Sandhya Sundar at Popular, just recently. The sales staff told me that they have been re-issued. I checked the P1 and P2 books; the current edition is published in 2009. But, strangely, the series doesn't show up on Popular's website. :?

[optimistforum]

Hi Clarabella


That has made me very excited. God, that makes me sound weird - that I get excited by the thought that a book is still in existence!! :oops:

I actually ripped the cover and spine from P1, separated the pages and photocopied them, so DS2 will get a copy when the time is right for him.

Now, I will make haste to source these books.

Thanks again, Clarabella

[clarabella]

No problem, optimistforum. Glad to have made you all thrilled over the books. :lol:

Oh, I have a suggestion if you have more books that need copying for your ds2: slip the pages into clear sheet protectors and have ds1 write on the sheet protector itself with a marker. That will keep the pages in great condition for handing down.

[optimistforum]

Thanks Clarabella


I got an email from EPH, saying that Sundar's books P1 to P6 are in print. I wonder if anyone can tell me whether P5 and P6 still use calculators - I prefer the previous editions that did not require calculators. As you mentioned earlier they are not yet showing on Popular.

Cafelatte mentioned PSP by Fabian Ng as a possible option. I would have preferred a P1 to P6 series, rather than P2 to P6. However, I like the idea that the Fabian books are prescriptive, but I much prefer the rigour of Sundar's books.

[cafelatte]

optimistforum


There has been a change in the primary Maths syllabus. Check the MOE syllabus description :

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/sciences/files/maths-primary-2007.pdf

specifically page 11.

This year's PSLE(P6) pupils were the first batch to use calculators in the PSLE maths exams. Some says that's why the paper was so tough ?!
Do a search in the KSP threads too...there were some discussions among the PSLE pupils and parents.