The World of Math And Math Around the World.
As one of my friends from the Middle East points out, children in third world countries living in mud huts with dirt floors learn math. In fact these children usually learn math easier and more quickly than they learn reading. Why? Because math can be learned by drawing in the dirt with a stick in your hand, while reading usually requires printed books. In fact another friend of mine visiting the mountain country of Mexico saw a teacher doing exactly this. The children were gathered around in a circle calling out the answers to multiplication problems the teacher was writing in the dirt. Then the teacher had these peasant children draw the problems in the dirt and practice some more. Before the children were dismissed for the day the teacher said, "Now, go home and draw this problems in the dirt for your friends and your brothers and sisters. Do these problems until you have them memorized." No books, no calculators, no computers, and no math anxiety, just simply math.
Books Vs. Computers.
Readers take note: I've reviewed dozens of mathematics software packages. The programs are great if you all ready knows math and can solve the problems. Most math programs are not true teaching and learning aids. They are practice for those who all ready know. My recommendation is to avoid computerized approaches to math and to get some books.
Old fashioned flash cards for +,-, x, and ÷ can be purchased in most stores for a dollar or two per set. Flash cards are now printed as playing card decks. Use the cards until your child can say them all from memory as fast as you can deal them. Don't underestimate the value of flash cards. Believe me they work!
Still drawing with a stick in the dirt.
The best advice gaven me about teaching my daughter math, was to buy a dry eraser board, sit down, and solve problems with your daughter. The friend who gave me this advice taught his daugher algebra and calculus in their basement with both of them standing at the eraser board solving one problme after another. My daughter and I have now spend hundreds of hours with our lap boards at the dinning room table, solving one problem after another.
Links:
- Evan-Moor Publishing. They put out a great set of materials for basic math skills. My duaghter learned math from this series when all else had failed. So I highly recommend them.
- Key Workbooks. These are good work books covering topics for students needing help on percents, decimals, and fractions.
- Articles about math education by John Saxon John Saxon looks at why American Schools don't teach math and how you can teach your child math.
