This is 'two posts in one' because parents were asking about memory issues and math. The first section is my thoughts on memorizing for math. The second section is filled with memory enhancing games.
Math is often described as a memorization of facts. The real fact is, it's much more than that. Math is thinking analytically, problem solving, an important life skill, and much more. Memorizing facts is an extremely small component and actually, not neccessary. Let's tackle what is important, the choice.
How important is it to YOU that your child learns math facts? Must your child memorize all the addition and multiplication facts before moving on? Quick, what's 2+14*8-3=____? Did you use the calculator? Did you know what order to do the equation in? Did you have to do this last week while grocery shopping? That's the key, isn't it? The future use of math.
If your child wants to be an engineer and seems to have the skills to lean towards such a trade, then memorization of formulas, along with basic math facts are important. However, if your child is going to train animals, than advanced math isn't important and the basic memorization isn't important either. "But I want to give him the opportunity to have the choice between anything so memorization is important!", you argue. True enough. You make a valid point. If you feel that is the case with your child, then memorization is important, to a point.
The greatest difficulty we have as homeschool parents is the 'can't' vs 'won't' factor.
We often push our children to learn things that we feel is necessary, because we had to learn it. I have never used calculus in my life. The point is, just because we had to learn it, doesn't make it neccessary. Not all children will be doing quantum physics as adults. Chances are if they do, they will have the mind capacity to memorize the facts needed by the time those lessons are being taught.
Some children have the great gift of art and draw the most beautiful pictures or can weave a story with words beyond compare, bringing a story to life that stays in your heart for years to come. Some can do math. Not every child can do everything and math is no exception.
Another small point:
Memorizing simple math facts does help make more advanced math easier and faster. Still, it's unneccessary. By the time child is doing advanced algebraic equations, a science calculator is used. When your child begins doing this math: SA = 2πr2 + 2πrh He will have all the basics needed, with or without memorization. How do I know? Because my eldest memorized all his multiplication facts in grade 3 and a week later, forgot them. He memorized them all again in grade 4, 5, and so on...when he started 9th grade, he still had no memorization of math facts welded into his brain. He attended high school (presently 11th grade) and passed all 3 years of high school math, his lowest mark being a 73%. Math is analytical thinking, problem solving, using a formula sheet, understanding word problems, sequencing the equation, learning the use of different tools like different types of calculators and graphs. It's more than memorization.
Some fun tips and tricks for memorizing math facts:
Mr. Numbers Right Brained Math:
http://rightbrainmath.com/
How to multiply 3 digits in a single step:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFvwRzjTWAw
Multplying using Tables and Patterns:
http://www.bukisa.com/videos/278076_how-to-multiply-using-tables-and-patterns
If you want a visual component to help, google 'multiplication' and click on the 'Videos' link in the Google search at the top of the page. You will get all kinds of videos!
What about memory issues? That's important!
Yes, memory issues are important, with or without math. Special needs play a big part in making memorizing that one component that doesn't want to exist. How many times have I walked into a room and forgot why I was there? If I had a nickle every time...then I'd have to do the math and remember how many times!
Think of the thought process as a chain, and memory does have a link in the chain, it's just not closed. That link needs to be strengthened and fortified, to become strong enough to join the chain. Memory brain games, help and make it a fun way to build that link!
Memory games to play around the house:
Story circle:
First person starts the story: Once a upon a time there was a blue horse.
The second person repeats the first sentence and adds to it: Once a upon there was a blue horse. The blue horse had a green mom.
And so on...the longer the story, the more difficulty it becomes to remember and it's silly imaginative fun!
Simon, Sort Of:
Remember that game of Simon we had as kids? The four coloured panel lit up with a different sound and each step was more and more difficult. This is the same idea, that is accomplished with your body.
Step 1. Clap
Step 2. Child copies clap
Step 3. Clap and stomp right foot.
Step 4. Child claps and stomps right foot.
See how far you can get before making a mistake and starting all over again! Take turns and let your child lead. It's just as difficult to remember what was done and even harder to think of a next step!
Memory Card Game:
You can use an ordinary deck of cards. Start with 6 cards, all pairs and flip them down on the table. The first player flips over two cards, if they match, he keeps the cards. If the cards do not match, he flips them back over and the second player takes a turn. Keep going until all cards are matched. Then make it more difficult with 8 cards, 10 cards, etc...
Memory Catch:
This is a good game for the active child. It can be done with math facts, spelling words, speech therapy, or just making things up. You facilitate the game by asking the math fact or asking the child to spell the word or make the sound, etc...After the child answers then throw the ball. The child has to answer again to throw it back, the same answer. So the child is doing each thing twice. Be sure to keep it simple at first, like only 5 different math questions or 3 different speech sounds, being done repetitively. Over weeks, increase difficulty.
Online Resouces and Games:
Match pairs of animated tiles. Online game:
http://www.zefrank.com/memory/
17 strategies for parents to help Auditory Memory:
http://www.gmbservices.ca/Jr/AuditoryMemory.htm
Your Amazing Brain: Describes the different types of memory and offers resources and games:
http://www.youramazingbrain.org.uk/yourmemory/default.htm
LD Online offers an article about "Memory Strategies for Students":
http://www.ldonline.org/article/5736
Homeschool Diner offers Visual Memory and Processing games:
http://www.homeschooldiner.com/specials/special_needs/memory/visual2.html
Brain Connection has a page with links to Brain Teasers:
http://brainconnection.positscience.com/teasers/
Any strategic thinking game, problem solving game, puzzle game, and word/math games are great memory builders. You can even branch off and play games like Fantastic Contraption, Mini-Clip Puzzle games, Tetris, and anything that encourages that type of critical thinking!
Math is often described as a memorization of facts. The real fact is, it's much more than that. Math is thinking analytically, problem solving, an important life skill, and much more. Memorizing facts is an extremely small component and actually, not neccessary. Let's tackle what is important, the choice.
If your child wants to be an engineer and seems to have the skills to lean towards such a trade, then memorization of formulas, along with basic math facts are important. However, if your child is going to train animals, than advanced math isn't important and the basic memorization isn't important either. "But I want to give him the opportunity to have the choice between anything so memorization is important!", you argue. True enough. You make a valid point. If you feel that is the case with your child, then memorization is important, to a point.
The greatest difficulty we have as homeschool parents is the 'can't' vs 'won't' factor.
We often push our children to learn things that we feel is necessary, because we had to learn it. I have never used calculus in my life. The point is, just because we had to learn it, doesn't make it neccessary. Not all children will be doing quantum physics as adults. Chances are if they do, they will have the mind capacity to memorize the facts needed by the time those lessons are being taught.
Some children have the great gift of art and draw the most beautiful pictures or can weave a story with words beyond compare, bringing a story to life that stays in your heart for years to come. Some can do math. Not every child can do everything and math is no exception.
Another small point:
Memorizing simple math facts does help make more advanced math easier and faster. Still, it's unneccessary. By the time child is doing advanced algebraic equations, a science calculator is used. When your child begins doing this math: SA = 2πr2 + 2πrh He will have all the basics needed, with or without memorization. How do I know? Because my eldest memorized all his multiplication facts in grade 3 and a week later, forgot them. He memorized them all again in grade 4, 5, and so on...when he started 9th grade, he still had no memorization of math facts welded into his brain. He attended high school (presently 11th grade) and passed all 3 years of high school math, his lowest mark being a 73%. Math is analytical thinking, problem solving, using a formula sheet, understanding word problems, sequencing the equation, learning the use of different tools like different types of calculators and graphs. It's more than memorization.
Some fun tips and tricks for memorizing math facts:
Mr. Numbers Right Brained Math:
http://rightbrainmath.com/
How to multiply 3 digits in a single step:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFvwRzjTWAw
Multplying using Tables and Patterns:
http://www.bukisa.com/videos/278076_how-to-multiply-using-tables-and-patterns
If you want a visual component to help, google 'multiplication' and click on the 'Videos' link in the Google search at the top of the page. You will get all kinds of videos!
What about memory issues? That's important!
Yes, memory issues are important, with or without math. Special needs play a big part in making memorizing that one component that doesn't want to exist. How many times have I walked into a room and forgot why I was there? If I had a nickle every time...then I'd have to do the math and remember how many times!
Think of the thought process as a chain, and memory does have a link in the chain, it's just not closed. That link needs to be strengthened and fortified, to become strong enough to join the chain. Memory brain games, help and make it a fun way to build that link!
Memory games to play around the house:
Story circle:
First person starts the story: Once a upon a time there was a blue horse.
The second person repeats the first sentence and adds to it: Once a upon there was a blue horse. The blue horse had a green mom.
And so on...the longer the story, the more difficulty it becomes to remember and it's silly imaginative fun!
Simon, Sort Of:
Remember that game of Simon we had as kids? The four coloured panel lit up with a different sound and each step was more and more difficult. This is the same idea, that is accomplished with your body.
Step 1. Clap
Step 2. Child copies clap
Step 3. Clap and stomp right foot.
Step 4. Child claps and stomps right foot.
See how far you can get before making a mistake and starting all over again! Take turns and let your child lead. It's just as difficult to remember what was done and even harder to think of a next step!
Memory Card Game:
You can use an ordinary deck of cards. Start with 6 cards, all pairs and flip them down on the table. The first player flips over two cards, if they match, he keeps the cards. If the cards do not match, he flips them back over and the second player takes a turn. Keep going until all cards are matched. Then make it more difficult with 8 cards, 10 cards, etc...
Memory Catch:
This is a good game for the active child. It can be done with math facts, spelling words, speech therapy, or just making things up. You facilitate the game by asking the math fact or asking the child to spell the word or make the sound, etc...After the child answers then throw the ball. The child has to answer again to throw it back, the same answer. So the child is doing each thing twice. Be sure to keep it simple at first, like only 5 different math questions or 3 different speech sounds, being done repetitively. Over weeks, increase difficulty.
Online Resouces and Games:
Match pairs of animated tiles. Online game:
http://www.zefrank.com/memory/
17 strategies for parents to help Auditory Memory:
http://www.gmbservices.ca/Jr/AuditoryMemory.htm
Your Amazing Brain: Describes the different types of memory and offers resources and games:
http://www.youramazingbrain.org.uk/yourmemory/default.htm
LD Online offers an article about "Memory Strategies for Students":
http://www.ldonline.org/article/5736
Homeschool Diner offers Visual Memory and Processing games:
http://www.homeschooldiner.com/specials/special_needs/memory/visual2.html
Brain Connection has a page with links to Brain Teasers:
http://brainconnection.positscience.com/teasers/
Any strategic thinking game, problem solving game, puzzle game, and word/math games are great memory builders. You can even branch off and play games like Fantastic Contraption, Mini-Clip Puzzle games, Tetris, and anything that encourages that type of critical thinking!
1 comments:
I think this is an excellent article Jen~ it brings forth both arguments that as I was reading I was thinking of as I read~ :) I enjoyed it very much and gave me some good reminders~
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