Esse Quam Videri Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 If you use SM that is :-). This workshop is coming to our area: http://the-pi-project.com/pdf/20131019_Workshop_Honolulu.pdf I feel like this is one of the most beneficial aspects of SM. Yes, bar models seem simple, but when you are so algebra/numbers engrained, it's difficult to think outside the box. I know my kiddos would benefit from this workshop. But $250 is a lot of money... that could be a GoPro :lol:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathmarm Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Never would I do such a thing and I rather like the Singapore Primary Mathematics curriculum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 No way. It probably has to do with how I visualize things but honestly the bar models have always made intuitive sense to me and I have never understood why some people find them difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 No way. It probably has to do with how I visualize things but honestly the bar models have always made intuitive sense to me and I have never understood why some people find them difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 No Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 No! If I had that sort of extra money laying around, I would use it for a massage or purse over a workshop! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I did, although it was an online class. However, I needed CEUs for my teaching license renewal, and there really weren't any cheap/free ways to get them since I could no longer access the school district's workshops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 If you need it, then go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I wouldn't, but I just learned them from reading the example problems in CWP and from seeing people's explanations of problems on this forum. Once I got used to using them, they got much easier and understandable - all for free (well, except the cost of the CWP books, but I was buying them anyway ;) ). I think there are other bar modeling resources people have mentioned over the years. Maybe someone will post some good ones that are much less than $250. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 The bar models are easy for me, but if the workshop was showing how to teach them, especially how to work through common problems that learners may have grasping the material, then yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esse Quam Videri Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 Wow, no one thinks this would be cool? I mean, yes, there are better uses for the money. But I feel like this would be really enjoyable. Plus, we move so often and rarely live in an area where I could attend something like this. I know this is one aspect of SM that I'm not strong in. I was an excellent math student but I solve everything by algorithm and algebra. Self-teaching from the different workbooks may work fine... but this is much less time/effort. Does it help that the $250 includes lunch? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Wow, no one thinks this would be cool? I mean, yes, there are better uses for the money. But I feel like this would be really enjoyable. Plus, we move so often and rarely live in an area where I could attend something like this. I know this is one aspect of SM that I'm not strong in. I was an excellent math student but I solve everything by algorithm and algebra. So if you can solve it with other tools, why does it have to be bar graphs? It's just one tool out of many, and a temporary one to tide students over until they have algebra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esse Quam Videri Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 So if you can solve it with other tools, why does it have to be bar graphs? It's just one tool out of many, and a temporary one to tide students over until they have algebra. You're right, it doesn't have to be bar models. But it is amazing to me how much simpler they are, and how they help a person think about the numbers in a real way. I recently posted a CWP4 problem on here and explained how I solved it with algebra, but the bar model responses made the problem seem far less abstract, and much more practical. I remember taking PreIB Chem/Physics my HS sophomore year, and I aced chem but struggled with physics. It was just difficult for me to think of the numbers in a realistic way. I know bar models obviously aren't physics, but I would love to build stronger "real world" math sense in them. It's hard to explain what I mean by that, and I can't quite find the words for it... but I know the lightbulb feeling of seeing one of those bar models drawn out and having a better understanding of the question, even though I'd gotten the right answer with algebra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Wow, no one thinks this would be cool? Maybe if I were a math guru! But I think it would be much cooler pulling out some cash from my new purse at the end of my one hour massage! hehe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Well, if you want to go (and it sounds like you do), don't let us stop you. I've now had two chances to attend a SWR(spelling program)-training seminar within 75 miles of my location. (I live in BFE.) I declined on both even though I know it would be helpful. It just wasn't worth the time & $$$ away from my family because I'm doing okay and I don't really NEED it. I understand how to do the bar models (even if I don't always "get" every single problem that way when I'm doing CWP with my kids). I wouldn't pay for it. There are a couple kids in my homeschool group that would be more than happy to sit down & teach Mrs. RootAnn how to do a specific problem or five using Singapore's bar model. They'd consider it a treat - especially if there were two of them (boys) battling to outdo each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esse Quam Videri Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 LOL, I'm definitely no math guru. But I do like learning :001_smile:. And I could never pay that much for a purse because it would undoubtedly end up decorated with my 5 year old's original sharpie art ... and I'd get mean :eek: . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I think this would be interesting to go to. But not $250 worth of interesting. And not a full day of interesting -- I have a low tolerance for education-speak, and I don't think I could put up with a whole day's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momofeat Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I paid about $60 to take a class online through Ed2Go.com. It was very helpful, and I also earned CEUs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I have trouble using and teaching them, honestly and have ended up doing variables much more often with my kids. I like the MM hybrid way. So, yeah, I would enjoy this, but not for that much money. They're banking on deep ps pockets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Right now, I'd say "no"... even though we're having trouble. I ordered some books that people recommended from Singapore Math... I think I paid $11.00 or so a book, and ordered two. However, realistically, with four kids, it would be worth it for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyforlatin Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I would have been tempted a few years ago (not for $250 but for something a lot less). I learned it by reading Dr. Yeap Ban Har's Bar Modeling book and DD used Fan Math/CWP books. It turns out that she doesn't like bar modeling and uses variables to solve word problems. She prefers the HoE way as she never seems to draw the bars proportionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 No. FAN math Process Skills and Problem Solving books from Singapore do a fantastic job of thoroughly teaching bar models. But, even beside that, I can think of tons of better uses for $250! Side note: I'm not a math person at all, and the models had me stumped when we went to Singapore. I purchased FAN math and it's been a breeze. We started at the beginning of the books, even though we were past that point grade wise. At the end of the 3rd grade FAN Math, I finally ran into a model that I understood but couldn't quite wrap my brain around their why. Posting a question here cleared it up for me. I really don't think you need the class. However, I wouldn't let the thought that others wouldn't spend their money on the class deter you if you want to do it. I spend money on things lots of people would probably vote no on if I polled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 No, but I have no trouble mastering them on my own. I do pay for things that I think will help me teach my kids more effectively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 No. FAN math Process Skills and Problem Solving books from Singapore do a fantastic job of thoroughly teaching bar models. But, even beside that, I can think of tons of better uses for $250! Side note: I'm not a math person at all, and the models had me stumped when we went to Singapore. I purchased FAN math and it's been a breeze. We started at the beginning of the books, even though we were past that point grade wise. At the end of the 3rd grade FAN Math, I finally ran into a model that I understood but couldn't quite wrap my brain around their why. Posting a question here cleared it up for me. I really don't think you need the class. However, I wouldn't let the thought that others wouldn't spend their money on the class deter you if you want to do it. I spend money on things lots of people would probably vote no on if I polled! This. If I had the money and was interested, I would take the course. However, I'd be more likely to buy more books on "how to" rather than attend a session. For $50, I think I'd have gone, but not for $250. I really LOVE the bar models and they were far from intuitive to me when I started using Singapore. It's been amazing to me how really nicely the bar models lead into algebra and how some problems are significantly easier to solve with bar models than with algebra. The Process Skills books (used to be iExcel) are well worth the money though. They also made a huge difference in being able to do the word problems with bar models in CWP and IP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 No, and it's not just to save money. The FAN math books recomended here are $10 and do the trick. ETA: I see someone already recomended them and they are called "The Process Skills books". just want to make sure I was seconding that recomendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esse Quam Videri Posted October 8, 2013 Author Share Posted October 8, 2013 LOL, well no one voted yes. It's a tough call for me because I honestly think it would be fun. Plus, I rarely take the time for self-teaching and this would force me into it. Planning for and teaching three kiddos is enough... I want someone else to teach me :001_smile:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 LOL, well no one voted yes. It's a tough call for me because I honestly think it would be fun. Plus, I rarely take the time for self-teaching and this would force me into it. Planning for and teaching three kiddos is enough... I want someone else to teach me :001_smile:. If you've got the money and time and won't be disappointed if it isn't great, then go for it! I've attended far too many classes and seminars that I feel waste my time, so I'd need to be REALLY sure it was something I WANTED. But if you want it, go and have fun....and report back on any really cool things you learn :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathnmusic Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Just want to throw out another recommendation out there for a book that trains the teacher how to do/teach bar models: The Bar Modeling book by Yeap Ban Har Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBJones Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 If you need it, then go. Exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2bee Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 If it were cheaper, less than $100 and I needed the course, felt it would beneficial and that I could use those skills on multiple kids, then I would rest up the day before and go. I'd take notes, and be attentive and soak it up and write about it on my blog or facebook for all the world to see! For that price it would have to cover more than just bar models, and I'd still have to feel that it would be beneficial and that I could use those skills on multiple kids. I am broke, and can't stomach the idea of spending that much money on that workshop (even if they provide lunch and parking) the answer is 'No'. However, I would want to go. I just wouldn't be able to. From my current position, I can't imagine justifying the cost, but that's just me. I say that if you want to and feel that it will be truly worth the time and the money and can afford to--then go and have fun! Let us all know how it goes! I would jump at the chance to receive training in Montessori methods. I'd probably scrape up the money to go to a One Day Spalding workshop even! But for bar-models, not at this point in my life. Go if you can and have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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