Very often, traditional methods of learning math fail to show the practical application of a mathematical concept in one's real life. This is especially true for primary school kids who are extremely curious about everything. Lately, pedagogy has shifted focus on more active forms of learning such as math games and activities, which are often an enactment of a real life situation. There are a few advantages of this shift to math games:
1. Engage the learner - Children these days have a lower attention span. Therefore, games have become a popular classroom tool, because they are a fun way to motivate and push the learner on the right path, without really making them feel like they are taking on a daunting theoretical task.
2. Encourage Creativity - While many appreciate the age old pattern of standardized curriculums and regular evaluations as the way to ensure progress of a learner, it is now believed that such a restrictive pattern of study does not allow for the creative instinct of an individual to surface. Math games allow us not only to live the real life situation but also make us more competitive and think out of the box.
In Grade 4, the focus is on three critical areas:
1. Gaining understanding and fluency with multi-digit multiplication, and gaining an understanding of division problems involving multi-digit dividends: The kids are introduced to place value to 1,000,000, they develop an understanding of the relative sizes of digits at each place. They compute products of multi-digit whole numbers by applying their understanding of place value, models for multiplication like arrays, area models and equal-sized groups and properties of operations, particularly the distributive property. They are able to choose appropriate methods to solve problems depending on the context and the numbers.The kids use their understanding of place value, division models and properties of operations as they develop skills to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends. They also understand the relationship between multiplication and division and use this understanding to appropriately apply methods to estimate or mentally solve division problems.
2. Extending fractions understanding and decimal notations: The kids extend their understanding of fraction equivalence and apply it to identify and generate equivalent fractions. They develop skills to compare fractions with different numerator and different denominators. They learn addition and subtraction of mixed numbers with like denominators. They also extend their previous understanding of multiplication. They are also introduced to decimal notation for fractions.
They apply their understanding of multiplication and multiply a fraction by a whole number. They relate decomposition of addition with the decomposition of multiplication and understand that a fraction a/b is a multiple of fraction 1/b. For example, 3/8 = 3 × (1/8). The kids are able to solve word problems involving addition, subtraction, and multiplication of fractions.
Technology has invaded all spheres of life, including how education is imparted to young learners. Using the interactive activities and fun games on phones, desktops and tablet devices, SplashLearn guarantees a unique step-by-step Math learning for kids.
Step 1: The child begins by taking a Placement Test to determine the concepts they already know.
Step 2: Follow a curriculum developed by experts at SplashLearn that helps the learner smoothly transition from topic to topic.
Step 3: As and when the child performs well, SplashLearn increases the level of difficulty such that even the brightest feel challenged and develop a capacity to solve high order thinking questions and therefore excel both in school evaluations and at Math competitions.
