How to teach "Less than" questions?

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Mon, 17 Mar 2014 02:21:51 GMT

Blue Pearl — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 02:21:51 GMT

dido:
Hi,

Here is a simpler method.

1) Tell them it is only either + or -. For -, only big no. can minus small no.
2) Cover the number next to more or less and read to make sense
3) If blank is beside more or less, it is always - .

Try it out yourself. The sentence makes more sense after that : )

_____ is 3 less than 10 (Subtract)
3 is _____ less than 10 (Subtract)
3 less than 10 is ______ (Subtract)
3 is 10 less than ______ (Add)

_____ is 3 more than 10 (Add)
10 is ____ more than 3 (Subtract)
3 more than 10 is _____ (Add)
10 is 3 more than _____ (subtract)

Cheers
Dido

Hi I taught my girl the following and found this very effective.

I just told her to replace is (=)

_____ is 3 less than 10 ( ___ = 3- 10)
3 is _____ less than 10 (3 = ____ - 10
3 less than 10 is ______ (3-10 =____)
3 is 10 less than ______ (3 = 10 - ____)

_____ is 3 more than 10 (____ = 3 + 10)
10 is ____ more than 3 (10 = ____ + 3)

Hope this helps. Thank you.

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Thu, 13 Mar 2014 10:43:19 GMT

dido — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 10:43:19 GMT

Hi,

To explain why how many more or less is always subtraction, use objects. Remember numbers must be less than 10.

1) Parent : 8 sweets
2) Child : 10 sweets (always give them more than you to make them happy. Only when they are happy, then they can pay attention)
3) Ask: How many less does parent has?
4) Ask : How many more does child has?

Take out one by one to match each other sweets, the extra will be the answer.

Let me know if it works for your child.

Cheers
Dido

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Thu, 13 Mar 2014 10:34:59 GMT

dido — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 10:34:59 GMT

Hi,

Here is a simpler method.

1) Tell them it is only either + or -. For -, only big no. can minus small no.
2) Cover the number next to more or less and read to make sense
3) If blank is beside more or less, it is always - .

Try it out yourself. The sentence makes more sense after that : )

_____ is 3 less than 10 (Subtract)
3 is _____ less than 10 (Subtract)
3 less than 10 is ______ (Subtract)
3 is 10 less than ______ (Add)

_____ is 3 more than 10 (Add)
10 is ____ more than 3 (Subtract)
3 more than 10 is _____ (Add)
10 is 3 more than _____ (subtract)

Cheers
Dido

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Tue, 11 Mar 2014 02:24:27 GMT

Blue Pearl — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 02:24:27 GMT

tks cimman

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:58:19 GMT

cimman — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:58:19 GMT

I’ve managed to scale this concept of transferring values directly to a table for upper primary maths problem sums. It works and it eases the english comprehension aspect of complex problem sums.

The method works by breaking down the analysis into simpler smaller steps.

The conventional way is to analyse the problem and form a solution in the mind and then transfer that solution to paper. It is a one step process and is not really suitable for someone just starting to work on the problem sums.

With this method, the analysis starts by first directly transferring values from the problem sum to a table. Then the relationships between the values are "seen" from the table. It is much easier this way.

I will be conducting a free workshop on this method for parents on 21April and 28 April. You can see how this method scales for PSLE type complex problem sums. You can check out the Happening thread for details on this workshop.

Parents who need a pdf copy of the diagrams I posted, can send me a PM with their email address.
All the diagrams are in one pdf file. So it’s easier to print it out and have it in front of you while your child is working on "more than" "less than" problems. It will be great to print it out in colour.

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:40:22 GMT

cimman — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:40:22 GMT

here is how to process \"less than\" questions. The template is slightly different. However, the process to solve it is the same as the \"more than\" question.

http://i43.tinypic.com/28k23yo.png\">

Step 1: focus on the \"less than\" keyword. Extract the numbers on the left and right of the \"less than\" phrase and transfer them into the orange boxes. If there are blanks, cirlce the relevant box to represent blanks in the problem sum.

Step 2: transfer the remaining number into the Yellow box.

Step 3: check where which column the circle ends up in, A, B, or C. Use that column's operation (+,-) to calculate the values for the circled box.

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:30:21 GMT

cimman — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:30:21 GMT

here is how you use the template for \"more than\" question types:

http://i43.tinypic.com/ok90ud.png\">

in every question, focus on the keyword \"more than\", put the relevant numbers into the respective boxes. If there is a blank, put a circle in the relevant box to indicate it is a blank in the problem statement.

The fonts in black are numbers transferred directly from the problem statement. The fonts in red are calculated values.

I've put in 3 columns, A, B and C in the diagram. Based on where the circle is located, column A, or B or C, the operation, + or - will need to be used.
If circle falls into Column C, then use + operation to get the calculated value to fill in the blank box. Since there are only 2 numbers, just add the 2 numbers up.

Just remember the first step, is to transfer the numbers from the problem statement to the relevant boxes. Once the 2 \"more than\" orange boxes are filled up, the remaining number in the problem statement will go to the Yellow box (I call it the \"is\" box)

The second step, put the circle on the box where you need to find the answer.

The third step, check which column the circle is in. Use the operation for that column to find the answer.

If circle falls into Column A, then use - operation.
If circle falls into Column B, then use - operation.

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:20:31 GMT

cimman — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:20:31 GMT

here is how you use the template for \"more than\" question types:

http://i41.tinypic.com/2n739q8.jpg\">

in every question, focus on the keyword \"more than\", put the relevant numbers into the respective boxes. If there is a blank, put a circle in the relevant box to indicate it is a blank in the problem statement.

The fonts in black are numbers transferred directly from the problem statement. The fonts in red are calculated values.

I've put in 3 columns, A, B and C in the diagram. Based on where the circle is located, column A, or B or C, the operation, + or - will need to be used.
If circle falls into Column C, then use + operation.
If circle falls into Column A, then use - operation.

[please ignore this post, it's a double post, just read the post below]

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:15:06 GMT

cimman — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:15:06 GMT

here is the diagram template for \"more than\":

http://i40.tinypic.com/dr6mfk.png\">

here is the diagram template for \"less than\"
http://i40.tinypic.com/35n3haf.png\">

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:13:12 GMT

cimman — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:13:12 GMT

the problem with primary school maths is that it is just too wordy. The problem gets worse when you go to higher levels. The trick is to transform the words to mathematical relationships and then solve the problem from there. Here is an example. Break down the \"more than\" \"less than questions\" into diagrams.

Here's the legend:
http://i44.tinypic.com/rk7aeg.jpg\">
the cirlce represents the blank you see in every question. Put a circle on the box that you need to find the answer.

due to the limitations of the forum, I'll have to split this into multiple posts because I can't post multiple images in a single post....at least not more than 2...

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:26:39 GMT

petals73 — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:26:39 GMT

Hi

I hv just joined this forum and happended to come across this old thread and would like to share my tips which is taught by a friend

Always replace the the words with sigh as follows
"less than" with "-"
"More than" with "+"
"is" with "="
"What is" with "?"
And work from right to left

Eg.
_ is 2 less than 8
_ = 2 - 8

2 is _ less than 8
2 = _ - 8

6 less than 8 is _
6 - 8 = _

9 is _ more than 4
9 = _ + 4

This method works very well with my 2 kids when they were in P1.

Cheers
Petals73

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:06:01 GMT

petals73 — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:06:01 GMT

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:18:47 GMT

XYZ1 — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:18:47 GMT

pinky88:

This is the area many kids are weak in. For me, I used to teach my kids to form an equation as follows:

Hi pinky88

do you teach your kids this at P1? And they can grasp this concept at P1 level?

XYZ1

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:46:07 GMT

floatinggate — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:46:07 GMT

pinky88:
Yong HL:
Hi

My P1 girl is weak in the area of \"Less than\" maths questions eg:

a) 2 is ___ less than 10
b) 3 is 4 less than ____

Is there any technique to teach her the concept? I tried to ask her think through grammatically but couldnt work.

Need help! thank you....
This is the area many kids are weak in. For me, I used to teach my kids to form an equation as follows:

_____ is 2 less than 5
Equation : 5 - 2 = ______
Read fm the right to left & translate into equation i.e. 5 - (less than) 2 = (is) ______

2 less than 5 is ______
Equation : _____ = 5 - 2 (Explain that 5-2 = ___ is the same as __ = 5-2)

2 is _____ less than 5
Equation : 5 - _____ = 2

2 is 5 less than ______
Equation : _____ - 5 = 2 (Explain that u need a bigger no. to minus the other no., hence u hv to plus)

_____ is 2 more than 5
Equation : 5 + (more than) 2 = (is) _______

2 more than 5 is _____
Equation : ____ = 5 + 2

5 is ____ more than 2
Equation : 2 + ______ = 5

5 is 2 more than _____
Equation : _____ + 2 = 5

This works if yr child understands how to solve the equation, it worked on my kids when they were in P1. As the child progresses, he/she will hv a better understanding so can skip this step.

Taught ds with this equation method too...after that ds will use either mental cal or finger cal to find the answer; it took some time/practice for ds to shoe with this \"less than\" 'more than\" questions.

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 01:23:38 GMT

Yong HL — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 01:23:38 GMT

My girl finally understands the concept, after >1 month daily practise!

Thanks to all the tips from all of you :thankyou:

And for the problem sums on \"less than & more than\", she can get very confused who has less and who has more in a problem story sum format compared to a straight forward question (i dunno why). I used the Fan Math model approach to explain and let her practice.. and it works out fine so far.. hope this can sustain :xedfingers:

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:15:45 GMT

Vincent Chua — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:15:45 GMT

hi!

usually if the question ask:\" how many more/less?\" it it definitely a minus question because it is asking for the difference.

eg. 5 is __ more than 2
so the question is read as 5 is how many more than 2

7 is ___ less than 9

so the question is read as 7 is how many less than 9

for the following questions:

5 is 2 less than__
so usually i would read as 5 is less, so i need a bigger answer, so i need to add

2 less than 7 is__
so usually i will focus reading on less than 7, so i need a smaller answer, i need to minus

hope it helps

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:44:47 GMT

sparkie0209 — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:44:47 GMT

hi there,

my kid is able to indicate which set of items (pictorially) is less or more but is not able to tell when the pictures are represented in numerical format, though she is able to recognise numbers. i have not used the less than or more than symbols.

is this something you see in shichida kids who are exposed to image training?

please advise.

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:12:54 GMT

Yong HL — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:12:54 GMT

Thanks for all your tips. I was revising with my daughter on them and she seemed ok without much explanation this time. Dunno whether she got it by chance or she finally understands too... anyway, will monitor her again..

Now she poses another challenge for me....

Maths Question:
There are 6 apples in the basket. 4 are red and the rest are green. How many green apples are there?

She can give me the answer as 2. The question requires her to show her workings such as __ [+/-] ___ = ___. She couldnt answer. Then i realised whats her problem. We would take 6-4. But for her, she uses the 4+2__ = 6 method :slapshead:

Anyone has the same issue as me?

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 07:36:33 GMT

Joy1089 — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 07:36:33 GMT

I use visual props to teach maths concept for P1 for my dd when she is in P1. my son had no problem to understand the statement but my dd has. So i use colorful beads to show her the meaning of the statement. she understands after that. some kids in P1 take more time. Make the lesson interesting. After all, it is only P1 and the beginning…

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:33:54 GMT

chasingjelly — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:33:54 GMT

Yong HL:
Hi

My P1 girl is weak in the area of \"Less than\" maths questions eg:

a) 2 is ___ less than 10
b) 3 is 4 less than ____

Is there any technique to teach her the concept? I tried to ask her think through grammatically but couldnt work.

Need help! thank you....

It just means subtract FROM / minus FROM. If you can just remember to replace LESS THAN to SUBTRACT FROM / MINUS FROM, it doesnt matter how the sentence is being phased. IS means the final answer.

a) 2 is _________ minus from 10.
10 - ? = 2

b) 3 is 4 minus from ________
? - 4 = 3

Then you proceed on to teach them how to get the answer either by working backwards or adding. hth

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:23:22 GMT

Monster Mummy — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:23:22 GMT

The concept actually will reinforce in P1 and P2 will be more in-depth. By P3, it will more on concept learnt from P1 and P2.

So it is good to start to go through with K2 kid especially for adding and subtract.

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:00:09 GMT

Champion — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:00:09 GMT

Monster Mummy:
yes, I agreed that we will need to reinforce their concept in P1 and P2 because going to P3, we will need to prepare for the more tough question.

Definitely agree to the above :dancing: My gal is in P3 and sometimes still will make mistakes on less than or more than but she able to grasp the tricks to the questions quickly and answer correctly. Thanks to the effort of the teachers in school.

I have a K2 gal and when I go thru with her the K2 assessment books, saw some questions similar to what is being taught in P1 - just like more than and less than :!: ..So, I take the opportunity to introduce her the concept and hopefully she will not be at a loss next year.

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:42:23 GMT

Monster Mummy — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:42:23 GMT

yes, I agreed that we will need to reinforce their concept in P1 and P2 because going to P3, we will need to prepare for the more tough question.

Reply to How to teach "Less than" questions? on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 06:06:57 GMT

learningstore — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 06:06:57 GMT

you may perhaps ask them to visualize in forms of things they are familiar with or illustrate with pictures or actual objects.

in p1s, it is important to build their concept up as it is a foundation
hope things work well.