Math

Learning Math: Spiral versus Mastery Approach

Math is a subject that needs to be built upon itself. Curriculums use either spiral  or mastery approach. The spiral approach can be pretty repetitive, while the mastery approach goes over a specific topic and it is taught until that skill is mastered.  Spiral approach is commonly seen in "brick and mortar" schools. It covers the same topics year after year, but  increases in complexity and reinforces previous topics. 

I knew that this method would not work for my sons, based on their experience in elementary school.  Although some students require repetition to better assimilate math concept, my sons felt that too much repetition was unnecessary.  

A free placement test that can determine a child’s math level can be found at Saxon Math website. Before spending hours on developing lesson plans, generate a simple test to quantify what areas need concentration.  

Our favorite curriculum for math was Videotext Interactive. It uses a straight forward mastery approach. I believe that repetition is beneficial to a certain point; however if overdone, children can lose interest. At first, it may seem that Video Text Interactive Algebra Course is expensive compared to other programs; however, since this curriculum includes Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2 the price is pretty comparable to other curriculums. Now they offer the online option, which is less expensive than buying the books with CDs.

The videos found for each lesson, enhance students' ability to understand the concept.

The three dimensional animation can be used as an aid for students to visualize concepts that are difficult to grasp without this technology. As an example, learning to graph quadratic or polynomial functions after visualizing how it relates to a graphical representation in a three dimensional approach, can be effortlessly understood.

Is Math an inherited ability?

How often have you heard a parent say, “I am not good in math...”? Unfortunately, if a parent has this mindset, it will likely be passed on to their children.  Telling children that math is not their strength will only deter them from trying to succeed.  To a degree, math ability is genetic; yet, inborn talent is not as critical as determination and hard work. What could be more rewarding than working really hard on a difficult concept and succeeding at it?

Dr. Richard Nisbett, a Distinguish Professor at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and also a prominent cognitive psychologist, reports in his book Intelligence and How to Get It, that researchers were able to convince academic struggling high school students that intelligence is malleable, it can be changed by hard work, and that they are in charge of changing how they learn. Results were pleasantly surprising; these students worked harder and earned higher grades.

Genetics plays a role in human intelligence, but perhaps not as big of a role as most people think. That is the conclusion drawn by Dr. Richard Nisbett.  His research indicates that culture, social class, and education also shape intelligence.

There are fun ways to teach math to a young child.  

 Multiplication.com

There are fun ways to teach math to a young child.  

 

Multiplication can be learned using visual association. Each number is linked to a picture.

Visual learners will benefit from learning multiplication with stories. These animated videos are entertaining and students will easily remember multiplication facts.