Mathematics Concept & Skill Development Lecture Series:
Webvideo consolidation of site
lessons and lesson ideas in preparation. Price to be determined.
Bright Students: Top universities
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Caution: some programs are rewarding. Others lead
nowhere. After acceptance, it may be easy or not
to switch.
For students of reason in society, science and technology:
Pattern Based Reason describes
origins, benefits and limits of rule- and pattern-based thought and
actions. Not all is certain. We may strive for objectivity, but not
reach it. Postscripts offer
a story-telling view of learning: [
A ] [
B ] [
C ] [
D ] to suggest how we share theories and practices.
These online chapters may amuse while leading to greater precision and comprehension in reading and
writing at home, in school, at work and in mathematics.
1 versus 2-way implication rules - A different starting point - Writing or introducting
the 1-way implication rule IF B THEN A as A IF B may emphasize
the difference between it or the latter, and the 2-way implication A IF and ONLY IF B.
Deductive Chains of Reason - See which implications can and cannot be used together
to arrive at more implications or conclusions,
Mathematical Induction - a light romantic view that becomes serious.
Responsibility Arguments - his, hers or no one's
Islands and Divisions of Knowledge - a model for many arts and
disciplines including mathematics course design. Site Theme: Different entry
points may be easier or harder for knowledge mastery.
Deciml Place Value - funny ways to read multidigit decimals forwards and
backwards in groups of 3 or 6, US-CDN, UK-German and Metric SI style.
Decimals for Tutors - lean how to explain or justify operations.
Long division of polynomials is easier for student who master long
division with decimals.
Primes Factors - Efficient fraction skills and later studies of
polynomials depend on this.
Fractions + Ratios - See how raising terms to obtain equivalent fractions leads to methods for
addition, comparison, subtraction, multiplication and division of
fractions.
Arithmetic with units - Skills of value in daily life and in the
further study of rates, proportionality constants and computations in
science & technology.
What is
a Variable? - this entertaining oral & geometric view
may be before and besides more formal definitions - is the view mathematically
correct?
Formula Evaluation - Seeing and showing how to do and
record steps or intermediate results of multistep methods allows the
steps or results to be seen and checked as done or later; and will
improve both marks and skill. The format here
allows the domino effects of care and the domino effects of mistakes
to be seen. It also emphasizes a proper use of the equal sign.
Solve
Linear Eqns with & then without fractional operations on line segments - meet an visual introduction and learn how to
present do and record steps in a way that demonstrate skill; learn
how to check answers, set the stage for solving word problems by
by learning how to solve systems of equations in essentially one
unknown, set the stage for solving triangular and general systems of
equations algebraically.
Function notation for Computation Rules - another way of looking
at formulas. Does a computation rule, and any rule equivalent to it, define a function?
Axioms [some] as equivalent Computation Rule view - another way for understanding
and explaining axioms.
Using
Formulas Backwards - Most rules, formulas and relations may be used forwards and backwards.
Talking about it should lead everyone
to expect a backward use alone or plural, after mastery of forward use. Proportionality
relations may be use backward first to find a proportionality constant before being
used forwards and backwards to solve a problem.
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www.whyslopes.com >> Parent Center >> 2 Reading and Writing Skills Next: [3 Preparing for Science Studies.] Previous: [1 Speaking Skills.] [1] [2] [3][4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]
Reading and Writing
For Reading
Your young child needs to master the alphabet and
recognize the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. You can use cue
cards (or pieces of paper) with these letters and number written on them,
and ask him or her to identify each symbol as it shown. An erasable
surface may serve instead for the writing of symbols to be recognized.
Turn the mastery of these symbols into a game.
Cue cards can also be used for the expression of short
words, three letter, then four letter. Explain that every words can be
written with letters, and every number can be written with words or
digits. Short stories with short words can be read with your child. Here
your child can be encouraged to read the stories aloud with you. You can
also challenge your child to read the words silently, that is, with mouth
closed and no lip motion.
When you child starts reading ahead of where you both
are, then it is time for him or her to read alone. But from time to time,
you should ask your child or teen to read aloud a passage or two, to
check and practice the ability to read aloud. Confidence here needs to be
encourage from elementary school to the end of high school, and even
college. Your child should not be embarrassed to ask you to listen to a
passage being written for you to provide critical, not too
critical, constructive feedback. This is part of the learning or teaching
process.
For Writing
A child may master reading, spelling and acquire a large
vocabulary. Writing requires something to say, a story to tell,
instructions to give, or reasons for this or that. Passively reading or
listening or watching stories is quite different from presenting stories
in written or spoken form. Developing story telling and repeating skills,
both written and spoken is suggested.
An essay which is not descriptive presents a perspective
or point of view, a chain of reasoning perhaps. In meeting or writing a
chain of reason, knowledge of how to follow, form and criticize
chains of reason is required.
Read these first chapters on the communication
& logic in site Volume 1A, Pattern Based Reason, yourself before
bringing them to son's or daughter's attention. The key chapters on logic
appear in sequence in site Volume 2. chapters 1 to 5
Logic mastery (see chapters 1 to 5) and the
associated ability to read and write precisely is remedy for learning
difficulties in many subject, mathematics included. So covering the
logic chapters as early as possible without alienating your son or
daughter is recommended. What hard for a 10 year old may be less hard for
a 13 year old and easy for a 16 year old. Have patience.
www.whyslopes.com >> Parent Center >> 2 Reading and Writing Skills Next: [3 Preparing for Science Studies.] Previous: [1 Speaking Skills.] [1] [2] [3][4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]
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Road Safety Messages
for All: When walking on a road, when is it safer to be on
the side allowing one to see oncoming traffic?
Site Reviews
1996 - Magellan, the McKinley
Internet Directory:
Mathphobics, this site may ease your fears of the subject, perhaps even
help you enjoy it. The tone of the little lessons and "appetizers" on
math and logic is unintimidating, sometimes funny and very clear. There
are a number of different angles offered, and you do not need to follow
any linear lesson plan. Just pick and peck. The site also offers some
reflections on teaching, so that teachers can not only use the site as
part of their lesson, but also learn from it.
2000 - Waterboro Public Library, home schooling section:
CRITICAL THINKING AND LOGIC ... Articles and sections on topics such as
how (and why) to learn mathematics in school; pattern-based reason;
finding a number; solving linear equations; painless theorem proving;
algebra and beyond; and complex numbers, trigonometry, and vectors. Also
section on helping your child learn ... . Lots more!
2001 - Math Forum News Letter 14,
... new sections on Complex Numbers and the Distributive Law
for Complex Numbers offer a short way to reach and explain:
trigonometry, the Pythagorean theorem,trig formulas for dot- and
cross-products, the cosine law,a converse to the Pythagorean Theorem
2002 - NSDL Scout Report for Mathematics, Engineering, Technology
-- Volume 1, Number 8
Math resources for both students and teachers are given on this site,
spanning the general topics of arithmetic, logic, algebra, calculus,
complex numbers, and Euclidean geometry. Lessons and how-tos with clear
descriptions of many important concepts provide a good foundation for
high school and college level mathematics. There are sample problems that
can help students prepare for exams, or teachers can make their own
assignments based on the problems. Everything presented on the site is
not only educational, but interesting as well. There is certainly plenty
of material; however, it is somewhat poorly organized. This does not take
away from the quality of the information, though.
2005 - The
NSDL Scout Report for Mathematics Engineering and Technology -- Volume 4,
Number 4
... section Solving Linear Equations ... offers lesson ideas for
teaching linear equations in high school or college. The approach uses
stick diagrams to solve linear equations because they "provide a concrete
or visual context for many of the rules or patterns for solving
equations, a context that may develop equation solving skills and
confidence." The idea is to build up student confidence in problem
solving before presenting any formal algebraic statement of the rule and
patterns for solving equations. ...
Maps + Plans Use - Measurement use maps, plans and diagrams drawn
to scale.
Euclidean Geometry - See how chains of reason appears in and
besides geometric constructions.
Coordinates - Use them not only for locating points in the plane
or space.
Complex Numbers - Learn how rectangular and polar coordinates may
be used for adding, multiplying and reflecting points in the plane,
in a manner known since the 1840s for representing and demystifying
"imaginary" numbers, and in a manner that provides a quicker,
mathematically correct, path for defining "circular" trigonometric
functions for all angles, not just acute ones, and easily obtaining
their properties. Students of vectors in the plane may appreciate the
complex number development of trig-formulas for dot- and
cross-products.
Lines-Slopes [I] - Take I & take II respectively assumes no
knowledge and some knowledge of the tangent function in
trigonometry.
What is Similarity - another view of using maps, plans and
diagrams drawn to scale in the plane and space. May buildings in
space are similar by design.
Why study slopes - this fall 1983 calculus appetizer shone in many
classes at the start of calculus. It could also be given after the intro of slopes
to introduce function maxima and minima at the ends of closed intervals.
Why factor polynomials - this 1995-96 lesson introduces calculus
skills and concepts. It may also may be given to introduce further function maxima
and minima both inside and at the ends of closed intervals.
Check Arith. Skills - too many calculus and precalculus
students do not have strong arithmetic and computation skills. The
exercises here check them while numerically hinting at
equivalent computation rules.
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