by Robert Rosenfeld The first book on arithmetic to draw on children's natural ability and experience of the world, influenced by ideas from Rousseau, appeared in the US in 1808
Sep 13, 2023·edited Sep 13, 2023Liked by Ann Kjellberg
Very interesting (both parts 1 and 2). It was actually amazing to me to read that hundreds of years ago, people really did think of examples to try to show when or why you might want to do this calculation. The second is the use of real models (beans, etc). One generally thinks that math was taught solely by "show, then do" methods until fairly recently.
I read an interesting article once about how children can understand fractions starting at home, if they divide up real things (a. whole cake or some cookies for instance, as well as groups of items, which is quite different). I learned simple arithmetic learning to "play store" as a child (real groceries in our basement "store.") I don't remember what we used for money, but I do remember learning to give change by counting back, as well as learning to account for a person giving you coins to make the change simpler. I also played card games which involved being aware of total scores, such as Cribbage. I still enjoy number games.
Lovely memories, Lee. I'm pleased my essay brought them back. Kids pick up a lot about fractions at home. My favorite is the kindergartener who told her teacher she knew what "half" was, because each morning daddy gets the big half of the pancake.
Sep 14, 2023·edited Sep 14, 2023Liked by Ann Kjellberg
Thank you. You made me laugh here. This reminds me that we also learned about fractions by dividing up dessert and learned quite a bit about this, since we were an odd number (7) and very dedicated to equality between the children. The person who cut did not get first choice! My father getting a larger portion was managed by cutting into eighths whenever the pie variety was a particular favourite of his.
Very interesting (both parts 1 and 2). It was actually amazing to me to read that hundreds of years ago, people really did think of examples to try to show when or why you might want to do this calculation. The second is the use of real models (beans, etc). One generally thinks that math was taught solely by "show, then do" methods until fairly recently.
I read an interesting article once about how children can understand fractions starting at home, if they divide up real things (a. whole cake or some cookies for instance, as well as groups of items, which is quite different). I learned simple arithmetic learning to "play store" as a child (real groceries in our basement "store.") I don't remember what we used for money, but I do remember learning to give change by counting back, as well as learning to account for a person giving you coins to make the change simpler. I also played card games which involved being aware of total scores, such as Cribbage. I still enjoy number games.
Lovely memories, Lee. I'm pleased my essay brought them back. Kids pick up a lot about fractions at home. My favorite is the kindergartener who told her teacher she knew what "half" was, because each morning daddy gets the big half of the pancake.
Thank you. You made me laugh here. This reminds me that we also learned about fractions by dividing up dessert and learned quite a bit about this, since we were an odd number (7) and very dedicated to equality between the children. The person who cut did not get first choice! My father getting a larger portion was managed by cutting into eighths whenever the pie variety was a particular favourite of his.
Noting, as a humanities person, the eye-of-the-beholder element here!