Teach Less, Learn More

[phankao]

ksi:

Actually I still find learning the new Math fun and that is because I learn it myself, exploratory style. And for my child is fine because she has strong foundation to learn except that she also has to learn the whims and fancies of her teachers' marking. So the approach of learning math today is the issue and of course the marking scheme in schools, not necessarily in PSLE.

Actually, I find teaching the concepts required according to the p1 syllabus to my 2yo quite fun. Not exactly work to him, bc he gets to take out cubes & weighing balance and a load of other manupilatives. So to him, it's like a game. And it helps that he can read well, so it's not difficult to teach.

[buds]

phankao:

Actually, I find teaching the concepts required according to the p1 syllabus to my 2yo quite fun. Not exactly work to him, bc he gets to take out cubes & weighing balance and a load of other manupilatives. So to him, it's like a game. And it helps that he can read well, so it's not difficult to teach.

:salute: P1 syllabus to 2 yr old! :salute:

:salute: Reads well at 2 yrs old! :salute:

[buds]

ksi:

Not sure why kids these days need so much coaching. :? There are 2 observations I have of today's Math.

Home coaching issit? :?

Dun have leh. My DD2 covered all the basics in school.
Very step by step. In fact, because of the introduction
from school, she in turn shows me why things are done
in a certain way for the different types of questions. She
thinks it's kinda fun showing mummy that she knows.

ksi:

1. The language used is different and it tends to trip more than trick.

Agree. :lol: What's up with Maths qns these days, uh? :siao:

Testing language more than mathematical concepts. :siao:

:idea: Guess it's their idea of helping children think out of the box? :idea:
ie. If question is asked in a different manner, children should be able to geddit
too, instead of boring straighforward styled qns. :lol:

ksi:

2. The marking is more regimented hence it stresses the children if they do not do according to prescribed method. It stifles the thinking process in some cases.

Yes and no answer for this one... for me, i guess..

Regimented marking allows for conformity where teachers can identify children
who lack the skills from basic introductory level onwards and can zoom in to assist.
Meaning because everyone has to do the same, then they can tell which child needs
help with foundation skills, instead of allowing such children to be left behind to
sink further due to lack of understanding of the one-track-method.

As for the marking, DDs teachers explain to parents how marks are awarded for
math problems or qns that are being tested.. how at certain levels for a 3 step qn,
method marks are allowed and the teachers will initial an M1, M2 and M3 for method
marks even if the answer statement is written wrongly due to carelessness or illegible
handwriting..

... and how at higher levels there will not be pity marks or method marks and that
less tolerance for carelessness and illegible handwriting comes in. The worst part
in this is that... in the absence of an answer statement, marks will be deducted regardless
when the final answer required is correct. In this one area, i find a bit wu liao cause seriously..
After all the detailed workings that arrive at the correct final answer.. what use is the answer
statement reali... other than to state the obvious like, \"Mr Lee sold 197 coupons
in the 3 days.\"... as already reflected in the 3 step workings. :roll:

janet_lee88:

[There is no more FUN in learning now.

Errr.. i don't recall learning as being something fun at all to begin with. It is not
in my opinion a case of then and now isn't it? Learning was supposed to be
something one HAS to do.. i suppose that was what was drilled to us back then
as the responsibility or the child.. just like the responsibility of the parent is to work and
provide for the family, just to quote an example.. A case of everyone having their
own duties/responsibilities to fulfil in their own way.

However, if there's a need to compare the fun factor the learning now is way less
rote-styled as compared to before.. definitely more fun now than in my hey days.
So many fun stuff for children to learn and most of them at no cost. Even if there
is any payment to be made, it amounts to very little. Like my two DDs.. the schools
offered computer programmes, Adobe Photoshop, speech & drama, conversational
Malay/Mandarin, trips to museums and musicals/plays, story-telling workshops...
just to name a few... so... if you ask me... it is very very fun learning which i didn't
get to enjoy during my time. Envy. :politebleah: These programmes or initiatives
are sometimes in-line with what's covered in school like a theme, hence making
learning in the Teach Less Learn More environment, a more holistic way of learning.

[cimman]

buds:

phankao:

Actually, I find teaching the concepts required according to the p1 syllabus to my 2yo quite fun. Not exactly work to him, bc he gets to take out cubes & weighing balance and a load of other manupilatives. So to him, it's like a game. And it helps that he can read well, so it's not difficult to teach.

:salute: P1 syllabus to 2 yr old! :salute:

:salute: Reads well at 2 yrs old! :salute:

well, this is the KS forum.... phankao just upped the bar.

[corneyAmber]

cimman:

buds:

[quote=\"phankao\"]Actually, I find teaching the concepts required according to the p1 syllabus to my 2yo quite fun. Not exactly work to him, bc he gets to take out cubes & weighing balance and a load of other manupilatives. So to him, it's like a game. And it helps that he can read well, so it's not difficult to teach.

:salute: P1 syllabus to 2 yr old! :salute:

:salute: Reads well at 2 yrs old! :salute:

well, this is the KS forum.... phankao just upped the bar. :)[/quote]She topped the bar :lol:

[buds]

Yah. Super upz. I should start soon on my son, if i were to catch up. *pant*


:lol: I'm guessing what she meant was that she's teaching concepts via teachable
moments and ready manipulatives she already has at hand, hence the learning
is via learning thru' play. The super mommy can come in to address this should i
stand corrected..

Well yes, indeed.. this IS the KS forum. :celebrate:

[Chenonceau]

phankao:

Actually, I find teaching the concepts required according to the p1 syllabus to my 2yo quite fun. Not exactly work to him, bc he gets to take out cubes & weighing balance and a load of other manupilatives. So to him, it's like a game. And it helps that he can read well, so it's not difficult to teach.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! :salute:

[buds]

Ksi... you mean she totally tipped and flipped the bar? :evil:


I suppose she is able to spend more time with her little DS since the others are
all grown up liao. So baobei gets all of mommy's attention. :love:

[phankao]

buds:

Ksi... you mean she totally tipped and flipped the bar? :evil:


I suppose she is able to spend more time with her little DS since the others are
all grown up liao. So baobei gets all of mommy's attention. :love:

Actually the \"lessons\" only happen like once in a week or even once in 2weeks. And I used the singapore math books by yeap ban har. I just go through it as guidance - all required concepts are there. He can't do much \"assessment\" books since he can't write much other than draw circles & lines. And yes, it's mostly manipulative-based, but he can do what is shown on the books with some help. eg.circle the correct answer or match, etc, since he can read. To him, it's fun, lah.

[corneyAmber]

buds:

Ksi... you mean she totally tipped and flipped the bar? :evil:


I suppose she is able to spend more time with her little DS since the others are
all grown up liao. So baobei gets all of mommy's attention. :love:

Yeah my bad...fail spelling....cannot spell topped n toppled... :lol: :lol: :lol: