More Fun With Addends And Symbols For Little Kids

More from the make math fun file. Two brothers playing and learning together.

Here is a clip from a session with a couple of little boys who are just getting the hang of addends. One is 5 and has had very little exposure to math concepts or numbers and the other is older but has a few 'challenges' but is eager to learn.

The basic concept here is numbers are made out of other numbers and we also get some addends practice by solving for x (which is of course "the trick") where they figure out what's under the cloth...listen to the excitement and the laughter. IT'S FUN.



Math can be fun if you let it.

Also note that like a lot of kids the one child is still not sure of the symbols and what they mean so we do a quick digression into what the symbols mean but then return to the fun part where we are basically playing what's under the cup but have a cloth instead. It's not magic it's math. The younger boy still has to count because he doesn't know his addends. The older boy has more experience and it builds his confidence as he gets answers right.

They both laugh and have fun and although there is always competition and sibling rivalry we use it to best effect as motivation, and we keep it lively, light and fun.

This is a fun way teach addition using addends. As the younger boy gets some practice he won't have to count one by one he'll be able to use the addend to make it faster.

At the end the older boy has made a problem for me...that's fun too. It also tells you if they understand the problems well enough to create one. It helps them attain mastery to make up their own problems and is an extremely effective teaching tool. The children are placed in a math rich environment where they can not fail, and then encouraged to do some self directed learning. Note how we can see the associative property of addition but we never even mention it, but when we do it will be easy to understand because they have SEEN it already.

Obviously I don't have permission to show their faces, you are forewarned, starting Jan 1, 2013 those who don't give permission to use their kids in vids and on the websites are going to get 86'd as 2013 will be all work on the web all the time. My one on one tutoring days are drawing to a close. Will be focusing on groups and if it is solo then the sessions will be used to train others too via youtube vids and web pages and maybe even video products.


http://www.crewtonramoneshouseofmath.com/