GAMES TIME
Another thought provoking day. The game of Spinning wheel- Making the largest even number, taught us to look at the probability. Probability - a branch of Maths that gives a numerical value the chance of event happening. This game made us think the probability of the numbers that would result to the answers. Dr Yeap challenged us further with questions, “are you sure? Do you think so?
When we played the ‘pick up sticks’ game, we were taught to use our observation skills. We are to observe the number patterns. What would be a good number or a bad number? We tried different ways to see the results. After three games with my friends and prompting by Dr Yeap we then realize the patterns.
He said children should be given the opportunities to try different ways and to explore to find the answer. We are to look at the skills that the children could acquire when playing this game.
PROBLEM SOLVING-REASONING
Maths after all is about problem solving and we should use Maths as a tool. We so often give the children the questions and correct for them. We should give the children enough time to correct themselves, make connection and figure out what and how to do!
DIFFERENTIATION
Children have different level of intellectual and capabilities. Teachers should give differentiated instructions for children’s learning.
Dr Yeap showed us the ‘traditional’ way of doing the long division and using the language that my teacher used, I could help but laugh out loud. That was why I could not understand Maths. I just listen and did as instructed without understanding – my teacher must be a COMMUNIST with illegal license to teacher!
JEROME BRUNER-CPA APPROACH
Dr. Yeap modeled of how Maths should be taught.
He gave steps by steps instructions, using concrete materials or cutting papers, he would then make a representation by drawing on the board and finally in numbers. He said that what he showed us is the Jerome Bruner CPA Approach. It is a learning process from concrete, pictorial and then abstract. It is important that at the kindergarten level, when teaching Maths to begin with real objects (concrete) and then pictorial. At this level children learn Maths through representation.
I will always bear in mind that the ability to memorize is not a human strength. Maths is not about memorizing, it is about developing the children’s number sense (which my son said that I am lacking) L metacognition, visualization and generalization (patterns, relationship and connection).
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