If I were to stand in the mall and interview everyone who walked by me asking them how they felt about math, my guess is that 85% of the people would say that they do not like math or are not very good at it. Why is this?
In the last blog that I wrote, I addressed the multiple intelligences. One of these intelligences is mathematical-logical. Some of us have this form of intelligence. We also know that most math teachers have this form of intelligence which is why math comes so easily to them. What about the rest of us? How do we learn?
Research shows that people who are musical learners, visual-spatial learners, or kinesthetic learners predominately use the right side of their brain. Mathmatical-logical learners predominately use the left side. So, if I use right-brained strategies naturally, and my teacher uses left-brained strategies, concepts will be difficult for me to grasp. What are right brained strategies?
Right-brained strategies cater more to hands-on and pictoral ways of learning. Excel Achievement specializes in using right-brained math techniques in their one-on-one tutoring and hilariously fun summer camps. Here is how it is best to teach a child who utilizes more of the right side of their brain...
1. Teach concept using manipulatives. Take away the manipulative and have the student visualize the concept in their head.
2. Have the student draw a visual representation of concepts or rules learned.
For example:
Snowman story: There was once a little 3 year old child who decided to build a snowman. He built the snowman and then decided to make his snowman face to the right, so he placed the eyes and nose like so (÷). He then took 2 sticks and had the snowman’s arms cross like so(x). Finally he had one stick left over so he simply laid it across the bottom of the snowman like so (-). Then the sun came out and melted the snowman to the ground.
Fraction Operations:
These are “smiley faces”. The eyes for are the symbols and the word “same” is the smile. The word “same” is demonstrating that the denominator needs to stay the same when adding and subtracting fractions. It does not stay the same for multiplying and dividing fractions. The smile on the multiplication/division face has an “x” just like the multiplication symbol (x) to show crossing out the word “same.” If this picture doesn’t work for a student—if they can’t hold it in their long term memory, have them create their own visualization of the operations.
3. Have the student verbalize what they are visualizing.
4. The student must be able to teach the how and why of each concept.
5. The student must be able to compare new concepts to old ones.
6. Teach concepts solidly, before moving to another.
7. Have students manipulate math in a variety of ways to reach a conclusion.
8. Students must have processing time. (reflection time—a time for the brain to make connections.
9. Students must see relevance in what they are doing.
GREAT IDEAS FOR STUDYING MATH FACTS! (Other than flashcards)
1. Play games that will help you to memorize math facts. These can be found in many of the Teacher Stores in the area.
2. Make up rhymes to go with the facts. For example, 8x8 fell on the floor, pick it up and it’s 64.
3. Use the Math the Fun Way book and flashcards. This unique system uses stories and pictures to teach math facts. It is under $20 and so much fun. It can be purchased at http://www.citycreek.com/ or in at Teaching Treasures in Sioux Falls.
4. Write your math facts in finger paint.
5. Build math facts with craft sticks.
6. Get a CD that plays your math facts. There are many fun musical versions.
7. Play dominoes and add, subtract, multiply, or divide them as you connect them.
8. Use fact family triangles to “stomp out” math facts.
9. We know that we learn by teaching. Have your child teach the facts to a younger sibling.
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