3 top problems you and kid face in Primary Maths

airwaybu

New Member
hi all,

My eldest will be joining Pri 1 next year. As a typical KS parent (and proud to be one), I have some qns that I hope you can help. Pls feel free to just share your own experience.

On primary school Maths:

1. What are the top 3 problems you and/or kid face while learning primary school Maths?

2. How you currently try to resolve and what are the shortcomings?

3. Any advice for KS parents who wants to prep kids for Lower Pri Maths?

thanks!
 


i attended a workshop organised by the school for p1 parents. They discourage rote learning, for eg ( )+3 = 10. we used to teach you must take 10 - 3 = 7 right? Now they want us to teach this way, to visualise that it is Part + Part = whole...so what add 3 gives 10. They now use cubes which can be attached. So you use it to break into "7" and "3" and then attach the two parts to add 10. DUn teach them to memorise.

Top 3 problems
1) make them sit down and do sums over and over again. they feel bored
2) they dun understand concepts like ( )+7 = 10
3) use too many fingers to do addtion and subtraction (not enough fingers/ toes to go around)

1) make it more interesting...use day to day items..teach them sorting, counting, addition, subtraction...a lot of visualising..can use website...www.starfall.com

advice? actually P1 syllabus is still simple. But like the workshop trainer said, as long as the kids know 1 to 10. And understand the concepts, it will serve them well in future...dun have to know about beyond 10 at this point...but I dunno in future, when they learn about sin, cos, tan...how to teach them already? I used to like maths a lot ...was my fav subject...i did it the kumon way, practise and practise...the exam questions dun change a lot....sometimes i even see same questions but just the numbers change...so I guess for maths, still need to practise a lot...but via more interesting ways now
 
hi Janice, I have always been easy going about doing homework but I was pressured to ensure my kids' finish their homework. So, no choice, started handing out assessments for them daily. My hubby attended the 1 day session organised by the school last year for P1 maths and they say its important the kid understands concept 1-20 ( ones, tens, hundreds). I agree totally as that is how Montessori teach ( I am a great fan of Montessori methods). Personally, I think the math questions is a lot to do with language ability as well. I find that if a kid has a poor command of the English language, it is already a huge hurdle for a start. I used to be a tutor and was even a full time tutor at one time. Students who are weak in English has a difficult time with the problem sums. I also agree practice is important as similar questions may be phrased in so many ways. I also sent my girl to abacus maths( at the CC )since K2 and it helps her a lot. Now, I am starting my 6 yr old boy at the abacus class and having him start on P1 assessment books. Seems to be working out better than expected. At least it will prep him for P1. Just my view :)
 
oh another thing.... I bought Ben 10 deck cards for my boy and devised a game to encourage mental additions and subtractions. I also play speed challenge , like when we are on the bus / mrt. I ask a simple math problem and see who can give the answer first. All these activities encourage fun learning. :)
 
Agreed the kid must be equipped with good command of English, otherwise, likely to have problems in Maths which contain more English than numbers now... My friend's P1 son is weak in English so now has to attend English & Maths remedial as his poor English has handicapped his Maths skill. Now the sch focus more on understanding concepts.
 
You can shop at Growing Fun or Nuture Crafts for lots of mathematical toys.. my kids love them! As my 5yr old girl is weak in Maths + she's a Dec baby, she's now attending My Think Tank to learn those Maths concepts. Rather expensive class but I think it's worth it to release my stress of teaching her Maths.. it's v tough teaching young kids with such concepts & still have to make it fun & interesting.. Usually, such Maths sch conducts crash course for P1 preparatory class in Dec hol if you don't want long commitment..
 
Hi Jo

The method of teaching Mathematics in primary school is very different from how we were taught last time.

If you want to have a feel of how it's being taught, you may pop by Popular and take a look at P1 textbooks. Most schools use the "My Pals are Here" and "Shaping Maths". It will give you some idea and will enable you to prepare your kid.
 
If any one has a good maths tutor to recommend, please let me know. My dd in p1 but having prob with concepts
 
i'm currently giving tuition (as community service) to P1/2 kids from disadvantaged families on eng and math and some of the problems/solutions i observed are listed below :)

1. As previously mentioned, if the child's eng is not strong, it would be very hard for them to understand certain sums and instructions. One of the more common problems: differentiating more/less (e.g. when to minus/plus); placement (e.g. second from the right)and problem sums

2. Counting independently. Many of those who don't have a strong foundation like to count with their fingers and toes which slows down the process a lot and confuses them.

3. The do-by-parts method in their workbooks. (Refer to the "what + 3 = 10". Easier to teach if you have materials for visualising. I usually use stuff that interest them e.g. Ben ten figurines, Disney princesses so they will pay close attention :) This problem excerbates when they get past the 10s in the second part of P1.

4. Disinterest is one of the main problems, esp if he/she is not good at math. Usually fun quizzes make things more exciting. Esp going up to write answers in a whiteboard (ala in school).

5. Once your child is used to doing sums properly. There's no way out of practising and drilling. But the practising shouldn't stop, meaning it should be consistent, even through the hols. No need to sweat it out during the hols but don't stop altogether esp for lower pri cos they tend to forget how to do the sums.

6. Expose them early to problem sums, simple ones. Don't have to buy too many assessment books just yet, cos you can make up your own (more interesting) stories to give to them. This is so they won't be so overwhelmed when they have to start.

7. When memorising timestable, start with the first 5 of each number. That is 2x1 to 2x5 then carry on to the next number 3x1 to 3x5 rather than 2x10 at one go. This should start in P2 cos the P2 workbooks include times. If the timestable is not memorised, usually the child will count 3x5 as 5+5+5 which is cumbersome when the numbers increase.

I think the problems are quite specific and vary a lot with every kid cos i have this girl who can sit down and do sums for 2 straight hours (she refused to take a break) cos she enjoyed the satisfaction of getting qns right. Its all about early exposure and breaking down the concepts, making it more interesting. I think math requires loads of patience so i hope this helps!
 
Hi, anybody knows how to teach addition nowadays under the moe ? how to teach 45 + 14 ? In olden times, we teach by 5 + 4 = 9, and then 4 + 1 = 5, and then the answer is 59. but now, it might not be the way anymore ?
 
Hi everyone,

I am a current MOE Teacher. I have been teaching for about 7 years and I have been giving tution for about 10 years. I teach English, Math & Science (P1-P4). My rate is $40/h regardless of the number of subjects. If you are interested do let me know. ;)
 
1. The biggest problem that I faced is the current educational standard is now too high for me to teach them even though I have a degree.
In the past, my dad still can teach me till primary 3 and he's only a secondary level nia. Hahaha...

2. The way I overcome this problem is to subcon the teaching part to experience tutors and I follow up with them on my children weaknesses.

3.I sent my children to MPM from K2 to P1. It is really good as they have a very interesting and fun way to build up concepts and drill them with innovative ways to approach and manage intellectual maths.

Then from P2 onwards I switched to home tution as I need a more syllabus and exam oriented drilling for my children. Initially I got tutors for Engish, Maths & Science. Now I have specialised tutors for individual subjects and I find that it is really better, especially for subjects like Maths. Till P6 call still get a high A which is very good.
 
Hi,can anyone recommend if there is any centre out there teaching the use of Heuristics in Problem Solving. My son will be P2 next year and I thot of helping to strengthen him in problem sums.

I was in a P1 workshop a few weeks before my son's final exams and was briefed on the kind of problem sums P1 will face....mostly heuristic kind of questions....my poor son....he is very good in English, no need to study kind...good in section 1 and 2 of Maths but when come to problem sums, he has problem with more high order questions....so I am not sure what he does not understand....anyone got the same problem?
 
Ya, I agree that there should not rote learning, that is why i do not like those worksheets based math enrichment programs where my girl just do repeated sums over and over again.

I saw this Ad on mocca website. It is called "Math Monkey Math Program".
http://classifieds.mocca.com/node/1424285?education-and-training-programmes-for-children-for-sale-math-monkey-helps-your-child-to-excel-in-math

I also went to check out their website. They have a few. http://www.mathmonkey.com and http://www.mathmonkeyasia.com

Looks interesting coz it said it does not use the conventional drilling method of teaching math.

Anyone has any experience to share?
 
my niece is in Pri 1.. Her maths is really very poor.. Try private tuition with her.. and it still doenst work.. What should i do?
 
Hi, Ong, pls read Sarah (above date july 2, 2009) to understand how to teach a young child- because they have short attn span. I'm a pre-school tutor myself, if keen toknow- I will share it on my email- as i keen in pre-school education-finding best mth for child to learn.email direct [email protected]
 
Its a little bit hard to teach Math, as it requires proper understanding for them to learn how to solve. Using visual aids would be helpful.
 
Hi,
I also think it's quite tough to teach maths myself instead I hire a tutor Otherwise my boy will new suffering tremendously now. However, you need to train them the right way, especially their attitude towards it? I am thankful because my kids have helpful teachers in school plus I have found a very driven tutor who train their attitude and feeding them with challenges and help? It's a tough rused but with the right people and attitude, our kids will fight against all odds and grow into confidence
 
My friend's P1 son is weak in English so now has to attend English & Maths remedial as his poor English has handicapped his Maths skill. Now the sch focus more on understanding concepts.



______________________
my site:Fut 14 coins
 
Does anyone has a good recommendations with maths guidance at home, I now realize how mathematics has changed and how difficult as well as science, but lucky, I found someone recommended to help me teach science theory and concept application because the markings are so strict needing it to be a certain way. So, if you have please help, if possible, email me asap at [email protected]? Thank you,
 
Gina, try also browsing math forums because there are many very friendly and helpful people there. If you describe your cause and explain what you need I am more than sure someone will be able to help you online and I am certain they would do so with a smile.
 
i attended a workshop organised by the school for p1 parents. They discourage rote learning, for eg ( )+3 = 10. we used to teach you must take 10 - 3 = 7 right? Now they want us to teach this way, to visualise that it is Part + Part = whole...so what add 3 gives 10. They now use cubes which can be attached. So you use it to break into "7" and "3" and then attach the two parts to add 10. DUn teach them to memorise.

Top 3 problems
1) make them sit down and do sums over and over again. they feel bored
2) they dun understand concepts like ( )+7 = 10
3) use too many fingers to do addtion and subtraction (not enough fingers/ toes to go around)

1) make it more interesting...use day to day items..teach them sorting, counting, addition, subtraction...a lot of visualising..can use website...www.starfall.com

advice? actually P1 syllabus is still simple. But like the workshop trainer said, as long as the kids know 1 to 10. And understand the concepts, it will serve them well in future...dun have to know about beyond 10 at this point...but I dunno in future, when they learn about sin, cos, tan...how to teach them already? I used to like maths a lot ...was my fav subject...i did it the kumon way, practise and practise...the exam questions dun change a lot....sometimes i even see same questions but just the numbers change...so I guess for maths, still need to practise a lot...but via more interesting ways now
same problem here :(




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