WHAT SHOULD I DO!
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:celebrate: :celebrate: :celebrate:
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after listening to comments here, scared … so how to teach Maths fun or creative instead of drilling type, when young ?
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if problem sum is the weak point, then you’ll have to check if Maths Monkey teaches analysis. There are different hueristics involved and student should be taught each of these methods and when to apply them. Maybe you can supplement Maths Monkey with another enrichment center, one that teaches hueristics. That way, you can have your cake and eat it. Only down side is that you’ll have twice a week session on maths and logistics issues. Travelling to and from tuition centers are so time consuming.
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greenbean2011:
after listening to comments here, scared ... so how to teach Maths fun or creative instead of drilling type, when young ?
I think both have their places. Drilling type questions are good for laying a good foundation for calculations. Once you move on to problem sums, then analysis takes over. The strong foundation in calculations that was done earlier will help the child avoid careless mistakes in calculations. -
Pen88n:
yep, problem solving skills is not about drilling but on how to recognize the particular problem type and using the appropriate method for that category of problem. Within each problem category, there are several permutations that needs to be understood as well.Rabbit02,
Please do not be mistaken. I've never at any point in time suggested drilling a kid with worksheet for problem solving. What I have suggested is to move the kid away from a centre that deals only with foundation maths (computing +-x/), to somewhere (be it a centre / individual tutor) that can equip the kid with problem solving skills.
I know Maths Monkey teaches Vedic Maths and their strength is in faster computation based on some properties of numbers. Whether it moves on to teach kids analystical skills for problem solving I'm not sure. In fact, drilling in Maths is never the way to go as it kills interest. It is only thru' understanding, analysing and tryingb out new ways that the kid will develop the love for doing Maths problems and achieve the satisfaction of being able to ultimately solve it.
I had a look at Vedic Maths. While in theory, it does provide a fast calculation method, it does so only for a set of numbers that meets a specific criteria, ie. numbers close to a certain base, ie. 19 and 21, base 20. In practice, these rarely happens in problems. So the student has to go back to the old way of calculation. Not very useful for division, probably better for multiplication, which they have a method for widely differing numbers.
If your child is self motivated, you don't really need Maths Monkey, just get a book on Vedic maths and it is self explanatory. The SpeedMaths series by FanLing is very similar to Vedic Maths concepts.
I'll rather spend the money on a center that teaches heruistics. Problem solving skills are more complex and requires a teacher to impart the analysis skills. Calculations skills are more straight forward and can be self taught. -
[quote="cimman"I had a look at Vedic Maths. While in theory, it does provide a fast calculation method, it does so only for a set of numbers that meets a specific criteria, ie. numbers close to a certain base, ie. 19 and 21, base 20. In practice, these rarely happens in problems. So the student has to go back to the old way of calculation. Not very useful for division, probably better for multiplication, which they have a method for widely differing numbers.[/quote]
I read up on vedic math too and I think you missed the fundamental point about Vedic Math. On first glance, it seemed to be pure speed calculations, but on deeper reading, there is a logic and pattern in the calculations which will lead one to understand math concepts, patterns and relationship. I am not an expert here, but I think there is more to Vedic Math than just speed calculations.
Also, problem solving is not all about analysis. A child will not be able to come out with the addition/multiplication/fraction sentence if the foundation is weak. Therefore, building foundation is still critical.
Having said that, I suppose each centre including Math Monkey will be their own strengths depending on the child’s learning issue.
Lastly, reading a book is different from experiencing. Most children are not so patient to sit down to read a factual book. They may be able to read fictions but factual? kind of difficult… -
Rabbit02:
that is true. When I mentioned self taught, I was referring to the parent reading the book and teaching it to the child. The parent should find it easy to understand the book.
Lastly, reading a book is different from experiencing. Most children are not so patient to sit down to read a factual book. They may be able to read fictions but factual? kind of difficult.....
As for the concepts of Vedic Maths, I'm sure the speed calculations are based on deeper concepts, but they are not discussed in the book explicitly. I guess one can infer the underlying principles from the methods introduced, but that takes too much brain work.
So the students or parent would not know the fundamental concepts that Vedic Maths is based on. I doubt that Maths Monkey would go through the fundamental concepts as well. Thankfully though, one doesn't need to know the underlying concepts to get the benefits of Vedic Maths. -
Hi to all parents,
i see alot of discussion going on and i have read thru with great interest too.
I guess at the end of the day, all of us wants the best for our child.
and my feel is that all kids and different, there is no ONE RIGHT ANSWER, or THE BEST CENTRE, or THE BEST WAY to educate them. we have to analyse our childrens’ ability, confidence, strength, weakness, personality, etc etc, and see which centre can provide them with the best learning environment.
As many of you agree, interest should be the key factor, not exam results.
this goes the same for any other subject/sports.
For example, anyone can get their Grade 8 in piano, but it doens’t mean all of them become world-class musicians. these are the people who have the great interest, build on the knowledge and develop their own method/style of playing music.
Maths should be the same too, school teaches them one way of solving a question. if they can absorb them, then thats good, if not, then our job as parents is to find how best to help them. do u wanna kill the interest for the sake of that grade? i wouldnt…
talking about problem sums, i think everyone’s point is valid, it could be down to English comprehen… or logical reasoning, or whatever it may be, and so depending on why exactly this student is having problem with word problems, the approach should differ accordingly.
This is just my neutral point of view, not taking sides with any method of education, but just cos i feel that everyone here has a valid view, concerns and this is a sharing place
personally, i don’t quite like the MOE way of doing maths, i’d love our children to learn thru activities, play, real life experience, cos word problem is supposed to be like real life problems! if they can relate these problems to themselves, perhaps they could think of the solution better?
Cheers to all loving parents! -
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