Isn’t this Algebra?
School-study May 24th, 2010Since a number of you had asked me in my previous post: ‘The Result of a Mistake’, to show what I meant by Algebra appearing in my 6years old Maths Test Paper, so here is my ‘answering post’. *wink*
To me, Algebra equations are a set of unknowns joined together to form a relationship. Just look these 3 questions in Keatkeat’s Maths test paper:
Don’t they look a little like Algebra?
And below was the kind of question that Keatkeat brings home as homework nowadays:
Remember, ALL The boxes were blanks. Each shape represents one number.
Primary one!!!
Man!!!
Does it need to be this tough???
The worse part was, in my view, shouldn’t the second equation be on top? Keatkeat had to make so many wild guesses before he got it right.
Imagine if its a test? How much time would have been wasted on such a question? *eyes rolled*
Does your Primary one child has such questions in his or her tests too?
Read what is Algebra over here.
May 25th, 2010 at 3:31 am
Yes it is quite common to see these questions in P1 Math paper. Agreed it cn be quite hard for students to understand. Perhaps this is what they meant by creatuve and analytical thinking.
May 25th, 2010 at 9:39 am
Evelyn,
oh man! that last question can really take up lots of time.
Guess, I’ve got to tell Keatkeat to skip such questions and only come back to it if he has time left.
May 25th, 2010 at 11:16 am
Hi Angeline,
Yes, these are common questions in P1. If i remembered correctly, it’s in Number bonding.
Yeah, they have some questions that say “put on your thinking cap” – these are the tricky ones…: P
May 25th, 2010 at 11:27 am
hi dear..i think u r out of touch with the current school’s math system..this kind of question is very common and they really don’t call it algebra. This requires the kid to analyse and work it out. this is simplified ones to prepare them for higher primary.
My hubby had the same response as you when he first saw Rachel’s maths (P1). He can’t believe its for Pri 1, thinking i’m over stressing her!
Pic 1 & 2 are number bonds actually. it helps the kids to count mentally faster.
As for the last picture, erh..the kids suppose to be able to solve it within 1 min. once u know the steps, its very easy. I’m sure they were taught it sch the approach.
.-= blessed mom´s last blog ..World Youngest Pianist =-.
May 25th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Oh..i just saw your comment abt skipping these qtns and only answering when he has the time.
dearie, u really have to get him used to such qtns cos, there will be lots of such qtns in their exam, esp when they go higher. then it would not be wise.
u will see more “cheam” ones soon… but if u understand the logic, then, nothing matters..everything will be easy.
.-= blessed mom´s last blog ..World Youngest Pianist =-.
May 25th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Kids nowadays are poor thing. The questions are tough for a P1 in a sense that these are not straight forward questions… but expect more of these to come… whether we like it or not… sigh! Standard is getting higher and higher.
.-= Tin´s last blog ..Crazy spells =-.
May 25th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
blessed mom,
alright, so its practise, practise and more practise….
*wink*
May 25th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
I think it is all in MOE’s grand plan to sieve out the different academic standards of children, ultimately serves their purpose of developing scholars for the public sector. There are so many other ways to build creative thinking and problem solving skills, and of all things they choose math to do this. Math is suppose to be logical, somehow these look more complex than logical to me. I already told my hb that he has to take over to tutor K for Math in primary school.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Children’s Season 2010 @ the Museum =-.
May 25th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
WaH!!!!! tough ler…
.-= Prince & Princess’s Mum´s last blog ..Burger Meal =-.
May 25th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Hi, Angeline, sad to say it is common to have questions like these in P1 nowadays.
You are right, need to practice and practice… :)
May 26th, 2010 at 12:07 am
Gosh, I’m stressed up just by looking at these questions. seems complex for a 7 years old…
.-= Rach´s last blog ..Dylan – He and His Social Development =-.
May 26th, 2010 at 4:19 am
Rachel,
smart move on hb! *giggle*
May 27th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
wah !! very chim leh !!
I think Anthiea will not be able to do such sums and it’s scary to know that these kind of qns are common.
Till now, she did not have any common tests.
.-= ling´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
June 4th, 2010 at 6:17 am
Hi, Angeline, sad to say it is common to have questions like these in P1 nowadays.
You are right, need to practice and practice… :)