Holly in FL Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I never seem to get any answers when I post things over at the Curriculum board...so, I'll post here. Why does my 6yo understand harder math concepts, but has trouble with +1 and +0 facts? I do use manipulatives, stories, etc. to explain it every way I know how. I mean really...I was a math teacher! Can anyone tell me why she seems to have a mental block with this? BTW...she CAN do it...I just have to re-explain it to her when she gets stuck. Sigh... Smiles! Thanks! ~Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I think maybe because those two kinds of addition facts are a bit different than the harder ones. +0 especially - "you put two numbers together and still get the same number?"! I would teach +0 as a special magical addition - and then see if you can "trick" her. I bet she will catch on quickly just so that she can trick you back by knowing those funny +0's! +1 (while really the same as other addition facts) "seems" different because it is the next number on the number line. I think I would teach it as it's own unique kind of problem too. Maybe that would help her get her over her mental block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly in FL Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 Thanks, Jean! ~Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 You can find out more at http://www.visualspatial.org. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly in FL Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 Thanks so much for the info! ~Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Why does my 6yo understand harder math concepts, but has trouble with +1 and +0 facts? I do use manipulatives, stories, etc. to explain it every way I know how. I mean really...I was a math teacher!~Holly Whenever my kids have a problem understanding what the number sentences represent, I tend to go back to food or toy problems. If they have six cookies and I give them one more, how many do they have (6+1)? If they have six cookies and I give them no more, how many do they have (6+0)? And I don't see that there is any problem with a 6yo continuing to act out a lot of math stories with manipulatives. Maybe you could have acting out and writing five number sentences each (you and her) be part of your math day. Sebastian (a lady) Percival Blakeney Academy Sink me, I managed to quote another post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly in FL Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 Thank you, Sebastian. I do think she will be fine. I use manipulatives whenever they are necessary. I think children need to see it in order to understand. Thanks for the encouragement. ~Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonia Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Did you ever read Ruth Beechick's materials for K-3? She talks a lot about using manipulatives until the brain can actually process the symbols of 3+1. At six years old I wouldn't worry too much about it, just give them some counters to use. It can take awhile for a child to switch from holding the manipulatives to picturing the manipulatives in their mind to picturing the numbers. Just let them use something to count with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Have you tried explaining it using a 100s chart? I always use a chart for +1s and +2s as well as minuses for the same. They usually catch on quickly b/c they understand the "what comes next" idea. That visual cue might help the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Hi Holly, That any number added to zero is still the number you began with is not a "concept" in math. It's an axiom. (It's one of the field axioms) It's not that one can't illustrate it with objects, but that doesn't provide an explanation since there isn't a mathematical explanation. A kid simply has to memorize this as a rule. I have found that my third child is impervious to attempts to teach her using manipulatives and a "conceptual" approach. Ultimately, after she has been exposed to a landslide of drill she realizes the utility of the "trick" that I tried to explain to her (counting on by 1 for +1, for example) It's as if the method she uses, while conceptual in nature, must be her idea and not mine for it to stick. When I give up and do just plain drill work, making sure to only give her a very few problems, say 3 number facts randomly repeated 10 times) the concept itself will click with her with time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly in FL Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 Yes...and, a number line...and pennies...and, etc. Smiles! I'll keep on it! ~Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly in FL Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 Ya know...I have her stuff, but I need to read it. Thanks for the reminder! ~Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly in FL Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 Thanks for that! My DD does walk to the beat of her own drum! Smiles! ~Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Book Crazy Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 My son is the same way. Anything geometry related he understands it, but ask him what 2+3=, he gets this far away look, like I just spoke in another language. It's all to do with the visual spatial thing. "Hard is easy and easy is hard" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Thanks Elizabeth for the visual spatial link! I will use it for me! Please remove the dash in the link. Sorry about that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Dominion Heather Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 You might try explaining the +0 stuff as (for example) "7 plus nothing". I would say "What is three plus zero or nothing?" or "Three cookies plus no cookies". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly in FL Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 Thanks! ~Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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