Thursday, March 30, 2017

Visualising 4 digit numbers by an 8 year old

Today was math class for 4 digit numbers. Introducing the place value and identifying 4 digit numbers was the plan.
the task was easy and Chaaru could follow based on the previous learning. Infact she picked up quite fast.

As per the design approach, we started discussing the relevance of 4 digit numbers in real life.
Where do you find 1000 to 2000 people together?
Chaaru: In India?
Me: the whole of India onlu 2000 people?
Chaaru: Coimbatore?
Me: hmmm
Chaaru: Vadavalli?
Me: Chaaru think and tell me, dont just say something.
(suddenly her eyes were swelling with tears)
Chaaru: I dont know. I cant nderstand.
Me: No problem (hugs and smiles). Lets try and understand. ok how many people will be living in our apartment...
thus begun the analysis and we computed the following:
52 houses - 4 people in a house - 52 + 52 + 52 + 52 =208 people. this is less than 1000

School where she studied:
1 class = 5 sections
1 section = 32 students
5 sections = 32 + 32 + 32 + 32 + 32 = 160 students
there are 12 classes = how many students?

""Amma should we count 160, 12 times :( "
Me: No, lets see if we can do it any other way. 12 can be written as 10 + 2 or 5 + 5 + 2

Chaaru: I can do this, (she added 160, 5 time and then 2 times)
SO 12 classes = 820 + 820 + 320 = 1960 students

In a School there are around 2000 people (and that was an achievement, you should see the happiness to believe it)

This was a very meaningful exercise where the child could visualize 4 digit number. Unless this understanding is initiated, the learning will be a mere calculation/technical mastery, without any relevance to her life.

The next step is to give different perspectives of 4 digit numbers, in terms of weight, distance, money, etc. Once the child is able to visualise the numerical context, application/operation of numbers will be more relevant.

Welcome home schooling :)

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