“I only have one purpose in life; mathematics. The world can be bland and dull, but math is never boring.”

– Chinese mathematics master (Chen Xingshen)

 

Do you think that mathematics only takes place in the classroom? That it only entails solving problems? At SUIS (Pudong Campus), the teachers help guide the children in using illustrations to apply mathematical knowledge they have learned. At the same time, the purpose is to help make learning math more interesting, and provide a different approach to the pedagogy. Let’s take a look at the LSP, 5th grade activities.

 

Fall in love with math picture books

For first grade children who have just entered primary school, it is more intuitive to present mathematics information in the form of stories and drawings, which helps enhance students’ understanding. In the early stage, teachers break the boring and abstract limitations of the textbooks by integrating the first-grade mathematical concepts into picture books, which stimulates the students’ motivation to learn. Whether it’s drawing mathematical illustrations, creating a mathematical story, or even making a small picture help make children more interested and engaged.

 

Transforming Parallelogram

The children in second grade have just learned the concepts of three-dimensional shapes. It is difficult for children to become motivated and interested in such mathematical concepts. However, this poses no challenge for our teachers; they guided the children in drawing pictures by using a transformative parallelogram. The children utilized recycled materials (e.g., wrapping paper, packaging paper) and transformed them into three-dimensional figures. Wouldn’t you agree that geometry has suddenly become more interesting?

 

Campus on the map

How do you envision our campus? What mathematical knowledge is needed to demonstrate this vision on a flat plane? The campus on the original map contains so many mathematical concepts that children have learned and are going to learn: such as cardinal directions, graphic recognition, and proportions.

 

Interesting mind map

The fourth-grade children have experienced and utilized a “tree-like calculation” technique to demonstrate their knowledge in shapes. In fact, it is also a form of mind mapping. Mind maps can express the relationships between topics at all levels with mutual affiliation and related hierarchical maps. Children use a tree-like structure to present a thought process and clarify some of the knowledge they have learned in the past. It also helps the children organize their conceptual knowledge.

 

Mysterious three-dimensional space

From a two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensional space, it is a necessary process for fifth grade children to learn geometry in the future. The children conceived and hand-painted an imaginary three-dimensional space by themselves, using colored mud and plastic rods to build a product. The children have established a preliminary three-dimensional sense of space on the basis of intuitive perception.

 

Learning comes in multiple forms and methods. Math Week’s activities have concluded with the enthusiastic participation from the students, but many more interesting mathematical discoveries lie over the horizon!