lexi Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Ok, so mom apparently is not that great at math and I'm just stumped. We are doing MEP Year 1 and we are on Lesson 30. I don't get what they are asking for on number 2. The answer key is here. It shows a thermometer and reads- How many degrees is: 2* more than 1* 2-1= 2* more than 0* 2-0= 2* more than -1* 2- (-1)= 0* more than 2* 0-2= I don't understand where they are coming up with the equations. To me, 2* more than 1* should equal 3* and I would write the equation 2+1=3. Obviously I am totally missing something on all of these. Can someone please clarify??? And then help me tangibly show the problems to my daughter. I just don't get it and I can't explain it to her. How can 1st grade math possibly be this confusing? :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanikit Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 I also had to do a double take on this one - look on the thermometer and find 2 degrees C - they are asking by how much is 2C more than 1C. It is only one jump from 1C to 2C which is why the subtraction happens. Or you can look at it as "the difference" between 2C and 1C and "the difference" always means subtraction. To show your daughter I would draw a much bigger thermometer and label it then ask her how many jumps you have to do to get from one temperature to the other one. Don't worry too much about why the last is a negative number if she gets it great, if not negative numbers are usually beyond the scope of first grade work - just tell her you have to count in the opposite direction (up or down the thermometer) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathwonk Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 As a teacher, even in college, I would never use this kind of confusing convoluted language. I would ask how far is it from 1C to 2C? or which is more, 1C or 2C? Then how much more? In order to understand, keep it clear and simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmac Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Glad to hear it wasn't just me. We tried third with my third grader and quickly gave up for numerous reasons. I'm not a math person so it was a challenge anyway, but I also felt they complicated simple things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladydusk Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 It shows a thermometer and reads- How many degrees is: 2* more than 1* 2-1= 2* more than 0* 2-0= 2* more than -1* 2- (-1)= 0* more than 2* 0-2= I wonder if this is an English English vs. American English thing? or if it is a "we're trying to introduce greater than/less than here? Anyway, I reworded it for my students so the "more" is before the first temperature: They want to know how many degrees more is 2* than 1* ... if you picture the "more than" as > it makes more sense :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexi Posted September 8, 2012 Author Share Posted September 8, 2012 I think I get it now. The wording just confused me completely. I'm going to reword it and try again! That was so complicated! I was a little panicked that I couldn't figure out a first grade problem. I feel better now........:chillpill: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipitous journey Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 just noticed this ... to the OP and any other MEP users, when confused I've found the lesson plans very helpful; though I don't know if the OP had looked at them already ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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