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Apr. 12, 2006
Teaching Multiplication
When I was a child, I was taught that 3 x 3 = 9. I don't remember ever being taught what that meant. I just had a multiplication table to memorize and it gave me fits. Multiplication can be taught as a series of addition (three sets of three equals nine). But we're going about it a little different.
The thing I like most about the Singapore math program is how it goes from the concrete to the pictorial and then to the abstract with every concept. This isn't from my Singapore materials, but it does follow the format. Here, we are practicing in the concrete with blocks to map out the area of our garden. Later, we will use graphing paper to do this in pictures and, when she is ready, she will move to figuring these papers out abstractly using only numerals.
The thing I like about the Biblical Principle Approach is how it all begins with scripture and illustrates how mathematics reflects God's nature and how we can use mathematics to "subdue" the Earth.
Yesterday, I introduced the concept of area in connection with our gardening unit and gave my daughter several problems to figure out. Then she got to make up her own problems which she always looks forward to.
For this, you need square tiles and paper. The back of my hundreds chart worked wonderfully because its blocks are each one inch square, just like our square tiles.
We started with our small garden which is 4 ft by 4 ft. I had her line up four blocks across to represent the width and four down to represent the length. She then filled in the rest and counted up the blocks to find the area of the garden. She wrote the multiplication problem on her work surface in a way that helped her see the relationship between the blocks and the problem and then copied it on her paper in the more traditional format. Here is a picture of one problem:
6 x 3 = 18 Yeah! She did several problems and got them all right!
The principle we are working with is Christian Self-Government and how we can use mathematics to fulfill our obligations. Is that a principle? I guess it is now!
teaching math, math, homeschooling, home school, multiplication
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Apr. 19, 2006 - Great tips..