“Handwriting activates areas of the brain linked to learning new information and memory retention, teaches organization skills and helps children compose their thoughts" Katy Jones, Nelson Mail
I was very pleased to hear the latest suggestion that primary school teachers should formally teach cursive writing. It’s not the...
Stop saying "Just add zeros"!
I wish primary school teachers would stop teaching students that you just add zeros when multiplying by multiples of 10. It often leads...
Using only one hand?
I have noticed this year that very curiously many young students are doing maths with one hand on the side of their seat while the other...
Teachers' capability to teach maths a concern - ERO
These comments are in reference to the following interview on RNZ on 6 July 2021 https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/aud...
Not wrong, and yet not the best use of language for conceptual understanding
Area and Perimeter It is curious that so many students when asked about perimeter and area say that “perimeter is the outside” and “area...
Learning Maths is Multi-faceted
This year's TIMSS international maths assessment results for 9 and 13 year old students shows a decline in NZ children's mathematics...
Practical Applications capture student's imagination
Many students can't relate to maths until they come across something that sparks their imagination. This student likes Doll's Houses and...
Quick tests for Divisibility
Number 2 If the number is even it is always divisible by 2. Number 3 If the sum of the digits of a number is divisible by 3 then the...
Asking Questions in Maths Class
There are three main reasons why students don't ask questions in the school maths classroom: Students who have very little knowledge or...