Importance of Algebra Fundamentals in Secondary 1

Algebra is a topic that covers a major percentage of Secondary school Mathematics syllabus. Topics like Simultaneous Equations, Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Calculus and many more are based on Algebra. Yet many of our students are weaker in Algebra.

Some parents asked me why Mathematics is using alphabets like x, y when it should use only digits (0,1,2…9)!

It is not a difficult topic to learn, once students understood the fundamentals and practiced number of questions. Make sure your child, who is in Secondary 1, learn Algebra thoroughly. It will help him to score better grades in Mathematics.

Is tuition really necessary for my child?

Yes and No. Depends on how your child is doing.

If your child is intelligent, able to understand the subject and does not practice because he is lazy, then the problem is not subject knowledge, it is laziness. You can easily help him by working with him.

On the other hand, if your child is unable to follow what was taught in school and lacks behind then he needs tuition.

Education and learning follow scaffolding. If his fundamentals are weak, he will not be able to do practice question or learn advanced concepts. When things become more and more difficult for him, he may become not interested in the subject.

Academic help in earlier years is more effective than getting tuition for your child only at important stages (like PSLE or O level).

Regular communication with your child is really important. Talk to your child and find out whether he needs help.

If you know the subject well, you can tutor your child or else you need to hire a qualified tutor.

Besides an expert in the subject matter, the tutor must be well experienced in teaching the subject effectively to students. The tutor must be aware of the learning difficulties that current students are facing and ways to overcome them.

DO NOT TOSS IT AWAY. Include old newspaper in your child's learning.

Many of us buy newspapers at home. After reading, we may toss it at the end of the day.

Do not toss it any more. You can put that newspaper to a fantastic use.

I ask my students to keep a Maths Journal. In the journal, I ask them to paste cuttings from newspaper (any language) that has an application of Mathematical concepts that they have learnt and write few sentences on how Maths is applied in that news clip. Also they can reflect how it could have been done better.

After few weeks, my students find Maths more interesting and substantial improvement in their vocabulary. The best part is the child will learn to read (which is lacking in many youngsters), able to think, comprehend and write. This will help them academically as well as socially.

Unleash your creativity and engage the children with this fruitful activity. Not just limited to Maths, you can apply this idea to any subject: English, Science, Social Studies, Art, Sports….

Spare a few minutes on every weekend and ask them to present the journal to you. Ask questions, let them explain, share your thoughts and encourage them.

Your time and appreciation will groom your child to be a learnt person

Why my group tuition classes on Weekends?

During week days, students start their school much earlier than all of us and finish late because of additional classes, CCA ..... They have homework to complete within the day. So their week days are fully packed and they are simply too tired to attend tuition after a long day.

During weekends, they have more rest and able to gather their doubts to clarify with me. They are more focused too as they are not too tired.

That is why, for many years, I have scheduled my group tuition classes on Saturdays and my students prefer weekends as they can learn well in relaxed mood.

But if your child prefer 1-1 tuition and can make it on weekday evenings, I have some free slots. By the way, I teach only Maths....

Why Regular Practice is important?

One of my reader:
"When I am able to read easily, why doing Maths is tough?

Me:
"When you read for the VERY FIRST time, did you feel easy ?"

Reader:
"It was difficult at start, but becomes easier as I  read more and more"

Me:
 "Are you doing the same with Maths?"

Reader:
"No. Once I find Maths tough, I just leave it"

Now we all know where is the missing link.
We did not learn car driving in one day.
It takes few days of listening and following instructions from your driving instructor, remembering them, do one by one, make mistakes, engine off, restart....

Why not we do Maths the same way?

• Understand a concept thoroughly.
• Ask and clear your doubts with your teacher, tutor or friends.
• Then practice a number of times till you mastered it.

Human brain will retain a skill better if it is practiced repeatedly.

Can I multitask when studying Maths (or any other subject)?

My answer is NO.

Your multitasking may work for simple day-to-day activity like listening to music while you jog.

But can you do Maths at the same time talk to someone over the phone?

Block our certain amount of time to study Maths and do not do anything else during that time. See how you progress in your learning after few sessions.

When is a good time to do revision?

Almost immediately after the lesson when you have some time.

This is because the information is fresh in your mind and easier to recall.

During my lectures, I advise students to form self-study groups and ask them to stay in the campus for an hour after the lecture to do revision.

Students who followed this method told me that their understanding and application of the concepts are getting better.