What do you think when 4 pizzas are shared among the 3 of them and how many pizzas will each of them get?
I took my pencil and drew 4 long blocks, symbolizing 4 pizzas. I divide one of the block into 3 equal parts and got the answer as 1 whole and 1 thirds.
After discussion with the other classmates, there was another method of solving this question, which is breaking the 4 wholes into 12 thirds and further divide it by 3. The answer will be the same as what I got earlier - 4 thirds which is the same as 1 whole and 1 thirds.
I find it easier to grasp the concept with visual aids which coincide with CPA approach. The children will get to revisit this concept every year as they learn another new layer of knowledge on top of what they have already learnt which is what the primary schools in Singapore is advocating - Spiral Curriculum.
Have you ever tried making shapes using a geoboard?
A geo-board is a math manipulative used to support early geometric, measurement and numeracy concepts. A geo-board is a square board with pegs that children attach rubber bands to.
Children enjoyed "playing" with it and through exploring, they gain the necessary concepts.
These are some of the questions that can be used when children are exploring with the geo-boards.
What is the largest or smallest square you can make on your geo-board?
Show a square with 5 square units.
You may also use dot paper to draw out the different shapes.
Dr Yeap drew a square on the dot paper and then a polygon which has one dot in it. He challenged us to draw other shapes that also has one dot in the polygon. This is some of the polygons that I drew!
So can you find out how many squares are there is the polygons that I drew?
There is an easy way to find out......... (well........ it's Georg Alexander Pick who found out first!)
Just count the number of dots that the polygon is made up with and divide the number of dots by 2, and you will get the answer.....
Example:
A good quote to end the day.......
Show a square with 10 square units.
What is the largest or smallest triangle you can make on your geo-board?
You would like to try the links to download the geo-board app and try it out but beware as it is super additive!!!
You may also use dot paper to draw out the different shapes.
Dr Yeap drew a square on the dot paper and then a polygon which has one dot in it. He challenged us to draw other shapes that also has one dot in the polygon. This is some of the polygons that I drew!
Dr Yeap further challenged us to find out how many squares are there is the polygons that we drew.
There is an easy way to find out......... (well........ it's Georg Alexander Pick who found out first!)
Just count the number of dots that the polygon is made up with and divide the number of dots by 2, and you will get the answer.....
Example:
Number of dots: 12
12 divide by 2 = 6
Therefore, there are 6 square in this polygon.
Isn't it easy??? After all, mathematics is about having the ability to use skills like patterning to figure out things!
A good quote to end the day.......
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