Polygons

We revisited polygon in class tonight. It sounded alien at first but everything seems to get rusty when not used for long. However, memories of working on these topic came right back as we discuss and make rediscoveries in class. It was indeed an experience to learn the RIGHT way. 

Here's a good summary of what polygon is all about. 

A polygon is a plane shape with straight sides.

Polygons are 2-dimensional shapes. They are made of straight lines, and the shape is "closed" (all the lines connect up).

Polygon (straight sides)	Not a Polygon (has a curve)	Not a Polygon (open, not closed)

New discovery!

How to find an area of a polygon?

You'd be amazed that you can find the area by counting the number of dots and used the formula. *BINGO*

Polygon in a nutshell

Click POLYGON to challenge yourself! 

Magic No.9

You've got to do this with a friend! 

1. Ask a friend to work a subtraction problem on a calculator.  
2. Get her to tell you either the first digit or the last digit of the answer.  
3. You are now able to divulge the entire answer!

How to Do It

Here are all the possible answers when you subtract two 3-digit numbers as described.

99     198   297   396   495   594   693   792   891

(099)

Notice that the middle digit is always 9 and that the sum of the first digit and the last digit is 9.  So just subtract what your friend tells you from 9 to get the missing digit.

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Let the hands calculate multiplication of 9! 

 

Awesome isn't it? :) 

Fractions

Fraction is FUN when you know some thumb rules! 

It is easier to handle the equation when the denominators are the same.

Example: 

1	+	1
3		6

The bottom numbers are different. See how the slices are different sizes?

1/3	+	1/6	=	?

Now the fractions have the same bottom number ("6"), and our question looks like this:

¹/₃=  ²/₆

Now that the denominator is the same, we can add the portions together!  

2/6	+	1/6	=	3/6

Do simplify the fraction when you are done with the equation:

3	=	1
6		2

In picture form the whole answer looks like this:

2/6	+	1/6	=	3/6	=	1/2

So now

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How do share 3/4 cake with 2 person? 

*smile*

Ten Frames

Day 2 class gets pretty interesting as we discover more about number. I was introduced to a ten frame. 

You probably have the same question in mind!

What is a Ten Frame and why is it a useful tool for developing early number relationships? 

A ten frame is a simple graphic tool that allows people to “see” numbers. 

Children need to

• develop understanding that numbers are composed of tens and ones. 

• strong sense of "ten" is a prerequisite for place - value understanding and mental calculations. 

 

A ten-frame is a two-by-five rectangular frames for placing counters to illustrate the numbers 1 through 10. Arranging counters in different ways on the ten-frame prompts students to form mental images of the numbers represented. 

The ten-frame uses the concept of benchmark numbers (5 and 10) and helps students develop visual images for each number.

Using a ten-frame, students can easily see that 6 is 1 more than 5 and 4 less than 10, or that 8 can be seen as "5 and 3 more" and as "2 away from 10." 

The video introduces the ten frame and explains how this tool is useful for students just beginning to learn about numbers. 

Enjoy! 

Terrific Tangram

Tangram never looked the same anymore. Today i went beyond discovering how to solve the different silhouette using all the seven pieces i've got! 

Just in case you are wondering what tangram is...

It is one of the most popular dissection puzzles in the world. A Chinese psychologist has termed the tangram "the earliest psychological test in the world", albeit one made for entertainment rather than analysis.

Choosing a unit of measurement so that the seven pieces can be assembled to form a square of side one unit and having area one square unit, the seven pieces are:

• 2 large right triangles 

• 1 medium right triangle 

• 2 small right triangle 

• 1 square 

• 1 parallelogram 

Of these seven pieces, the parallelogram is unique in that it has no reflection symmetry but only rotational symmetry, and so its mirror image can be obtained only by flipping it over. Thus, it is the only piece that may need to be flipped when forming certain shapes. Isn't that amazing?

Do check out this link and get ready to have a terrific tangram time! 

http://www.abcya.com/tangrams.htm

Pre-course reading

Use of abacus and mental calculation...

VS

Use of digital technology

Is there a difference in the way children learn mathematics then and now? 

The content structure of learning mathematics have certainly evolved to meet the challenging and fast moving pace of today's society. Some of these mathematics core principles have existed for very long and was further enhanced to ensure that mathematics remain relevant today. 

The use of technology was introduced to our children (sadly even at very young age) due to the affluent of our society today. Nevertheless, there are still a large number of people in the society who believe in experiential learning for our young children. 

Both hand- on and digital learning can come in tandem in supporting our children's learning towards mathematics. It is not us who defines what mathematics is all about but more importantly to incalcate the love for mathematics. 

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As educators, we should strive to ensure that we

have a rich knowledge of mathematics

stay persistent

arm oneself with positive attitude

be ready for changes 

make time to be self- conscious and reflective

so that we can continue to provide opportunities for learning and scaffolding the children to learn new content of mathematics in multiple approaches. 

-infinity- 

My Mathematical Travelogue

I used to wonder..........

What mathematics is all about? Is it science or religion? Or simply a test of faith? 

EXAMS!!!

As i entered school, i knew i had no choice but to make sure i get at least a credit for mathematics.

And i knew mathematics was too tough for me to handle. When i did terribly bad in mathematics, my teacher always ask me this

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*faints* 

HOWEVER, THERE'S ONE THING FOR SURE!

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HAHAHAAHAH!!!!

AND NOW

Over more than 2 decades of learning, unlearning and relearning mathematics..........

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i realize

:)