P2 Math - General Discussion

[ryankwek]

Hello EN,


Thanks a lot. My son really understands the concept now. By the way, he is in P1 now…

[schellen]

Thanks, EN. I will try this method with my DD if she has problem with this concept.

[jedamum]

[Moderator's note: Done ]

ryankwek:

By the way, he is in P1 now.....

chiefKS,
can merge this thread with the http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1543&start=0 thread? cos i think is in the P1 syllabus. this way, it's easier to find. thanks!

[zyberk]

EN:

Hi ryankwek


This is the method I use.

1. 5 is 1 less than _
I teach my kids to close the number that comes before \"the less than\" or \"more than\". For this eg, he will need to close number 1. He will then read it as 5 is less than _____. If he understands concept more or less, he should know that the blank should be filled with bigger number. Since the answer must be a bigger number, he needs to add instead of minus.

2. _ is 1 less than 3
Close the number before the less than again. The question will read as what is less than 3. The blank must me a number smaller than 3. So must minues in order to get smaller number.

Hope this will help.

Very nicely put. Thanks for sharing.

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

To everyone, I'm glad the posting helps.


To buds, the answer is no. I'm a mummy who learns a thing or two while I teach my kids.

[funfantastic4]

Hmm....while the method does help in helping the child knows that he needs a bigger or smaller number...it doesn't explain the concept that this type of question wants to put across. Not to sound picky.....but I had the same problem with my DD (she is now in P1)...still trying to find the exact method so that when she reads the question...she understands what it is asking for.


Anyone else with other methods to share??? I hope it hadn't offended anyone by making this comment. I saw my DD doing the subtraction blindly after reading the question. But when I asked her to explain it back to me....she couldn't. :? I dun want her to end up learning things the way I did during my time....which is alot of memory work.

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

Hi funfantastic4


No. I’m not offended. It’s good that you notice your dd is actually blindly doing subtraction instead of understanding why subtraction is needed. When I explain the method that I use, I have this assumption that the kids understood the more or less concept. Another assumption that I missed to state is the concept of number lines. You might want to use the number lines concept to explain to her why subtraction (for this eg) is needed.

Of course there are other ways to solve a given math problem. That is how me & ds will need to scrutinize each other method to see which is the preferred one. Our conclusion will be, which ever is easy to understand & apply.

[Addoil]

Hi

Anyone can advise how to build math foundation during pre-schoold so that they won’t be so stress when go to P1?

How are you all "store" multiplication table in your kids brains? do sing a long or use flash card? They should know up to where before go to P1?

[csc]

Hi Addoil,


I think you can refer to Buds’ blog. There is one article on Teaching Mathematics to pre-schoolers… many useful ideas, there.

Learning multiplication time tables or other Maths concept is not just simply a matter of memorising formulae but more importantly, it is a developmental process which results in understanding and application.

There are many methods to develop mathematical thinking… some advocate abacus, others may believe in montessori … whatever it is, do make sure there is understanding… Primary school maths tests more than computation of numbers especially as the level goes higher… A lot of understanding and analytical ability are required to do well.

Just to add, I’ve have never drilled my children in their time-tables… they were introduced to abacus since kindergarten and understood that multiplication is actually additions of numbers. They knew that 12 x 12 is 144 , not because they have memorised it , but they actually understood it as 12 groups of 12 and used their abacus techniques to derive the answer. Over time, it became automatic …

[Addoil]

Hi csc


Thks for your remind, Understanding is more important, we should avoid to let them learn blindly…

Regarding the abacus, normal abacus in childcare centre is it enough to develop their understanding & application? Some of my frenz said that both hand is better than one hand…