Guess-and-Check vs. Algebra
I have a 5th and 7th grader. At the dinner table last night, I asked: If Tom takes 2 years from his age and gives it to Mary, Mary’s new age is twice Tom’s new age. If Tom takes 3 years from his age and gives it to Mary, Mary’s new age is three times Tom’s new age. How old are they?
My husband immediately said, ‘classic algebra’. The 5th grader went, ‘I don’t know Algebra, I’m going to use Guess and Check’. My 7th grader has started algebra so he started setting it up with variables T and M.
I just sat there and continued eating my dessert.
Would you know it, the guess-and-checker got the answer first. The algebra solver plodded along, got a negative answer, changed his setup, rechecked the negative and positive signs and eventually arrived at same answer.
Start doing ‘algebra’-type problems with your kids before they learn algebra. Simple problems like: Tom has $10 more than Joe. Together they have $120. How much does Tom have? Problems like that prompt non-algebra students to use their number sense. Ok, $10 is not a lot, so they have close to the same. Half of $120 is $60. Let me try $50 for Joe. Tom has $10 more, that would make it $60. Total’s only $110. So Joe must have a little more to total up to $120. That kind of mental exercise for your child’s ind is like what going to the gym is for your body.
Here’s another algebra problem a 3rd grader should be able to do: The sum of 2 numbers is 20. The difference of those same 2 numbers is 10. What are those 2 numbers?
When your child starts algebra, his math muscles will be primed and ready to use unknown variable to help him do what he has been doing, just a lot more efficiently. x, the Unknown, will be a very good friend indeed, instead of an intimidating stranger.
Avoid “Summer Slide”
There’s a big push nationally to rethink how children spend their summer vacations. The effort to keep kids learning during summer is based on an effort to avoid the summer slide:
• Most students fall more than two months behind in math over the summer.
• Teachers spend four to six weeks in the fall re-teaching forgotten material.
• Their counterparts, in China, India, Sweden, for sure, are not taking 3 months off from school
“Parents always say summer is the hardest time to make sure their kids have productive things to do,” says Fairchild. “Summer should be fun and memorable, but parents shouldn’t let it be a break from learning. High-quality summer learning opportunities are fun and engaging for kids, while keeping them healthy, safe and on track in school.”
SUMMER LEARNING TIPS:
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO TO KEEP KIDS SHARP OVER THE SUMMER
• Locate a summer program. High-quality summer camps and math programs exist in almost every price range. Camps offered by schools, recreation centers, universities, and community-based organizations often have an educational or enrichment focus.
• Visit the library. Find out what interests your child and select books on that subject. Participate in free library summer programs and make time to read every day.
• Take educational trips. These can be low-cost visits to parks, museums, zoos and nature centers. Plan vacations with educational themes.
• Practice math daily. Measure items around the house or yard. Track daily temperatures. Add and subtract at the grocery store. Learn fractions while cooking. Or grab a Math exercise book from Costco or your local book store. Read about effective and ineffective ways to use math worksheets.
• Play outside. Limit TV and video game time during summer, just as during the school year. Intense physical activity and exercise contribute to healthy development.
• Do good deeds. Students learn better and “act out” less when they participate in activities that help them develop emotionally, such as community service.
• Keep a schedule. Continue daily routines during the summer with structure and limits. The key is providing a balance and keeping kids engaged.
• Prepare for fall. Find out what your child will be learning during the next school year by talking with teachers at that grade level. Preview concepts and materials over the summer.
Source: Summerlearning.org