3 Interesting Things
1) The 'Dice' Game
Put two dice together, just by looking at the numbers at the two opposite ends can you guess what is the total of the two numbers in between the two sides put together?
Thoughts: This game really needed some 'number sense' to solve it. The trick is that the total of the 4 numbers from the two sides put together and the 2 opposite ends would always add up to 14.
2) A 2-digit number - A 1 digit number = 3 (or any other number)
(above picture taken from Dr Yeap's blog)
Thoughts: It seems that it was a stroke of brilliance that the last number shows the number of equations that could be made with that number as an answer. I totally could not see the pattern until someone pointed it out to me (Demonstrating a lack of number sense once again).
3) What is Mathematics?
-Generalization
-Communication
-Metacognition
-Number sense
-Visualization
Funny Fact
The 'Model' Method
In regards to the model method taught in primary school, I like how Dr Yeap put it - "It is taught as a vehicle to manage information" because none of us really use these models to solve real life daily problems on how much money John has got altogether etc. We will instead, ask John how much he has got and if he allows, take his wallet and count it for him.
Hahahaha!
Reflection:
I like the fact that math is being taught in a way that stimulates thinking now, instead of the olden days whereby memory work makes up a large component. In Dr Yeap's words, "The times table has violated the learning principle as it is inappropriate." Instead, the MOE has adopted the Concrete -> Pictorial -> Abstract (CPA approach by Jerome Bruner) which teaches children how to figure things out instead of focusing on memory work. Also, I like how Dr Yeap recognizes that "the ability to remember is not a human strength" because this is something many adults around me has denied while I was growing up and I was often severely punished for not being able to remember how much does 13 X 13 adds up too.
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