Maths... it's not all about the right answer.

Now before I am struck off as a teacher I'm not saying that the correct answer isn't important, obviously it is, but it is the process and method to get there that we should be focusing on, especially with our younger learners.

Maths (numbers in particular) can be an abstract concept to young children and it is important that numbers and problems are given substance. Mathematical reasoning leads to a deeper understanding of all calculations. For children learning a method with no context is pointless and often harmful in the long run.

I know parents are only trying to help and that they did it this way and that way and whats the point of doing the long method etc, etc, but I am often questioned by parents who say,

"What does it matter? They got the right answer!"

Now I appreciate that the end goal has been achieved possibly but do we fully understand why we are correct, and why a method works in such a way. Have the children had sufficient progressive steps to cement their understanding of the concept.

Most parents can 'show' a child a method, very few can actually 'teach' a method, especially to the point where a fundamental understanding of why we do something is in place.

Test yourself, explain how to solve this question using column subtraction;

1 3 4

- 9 5

_________

Did you use words like borrow? Turn the 3 into a 2? 4-5 can't do?

Well you aren't borrowing anything... you are just transferring values. 100+30+4 is just the same as 120+14 as you will end up with.

You aren't turning a 3 into a 2. the 30 is becoming 20 because you have transferred 10 over to the units to make 14.

4-5 can't do... well yes you can its -1. This can cause problems for the child later on in their mathematical journey when they are facing negative numbers.

So showing children the value of their numbers through expanded decomposition can help solve some problems.

100+30+4

- 90+5

___________

This shows how the '3' in column subtraction isn't a 3 but a 30. Giving deeper understanding of place value that will help when using quicker more efficient methods.

It is vital that we understand the language we are using with our children, we must aim to explain and give context to any mathematical problem.

So in future when helping children with their homework don't be satisfied that they have the correct answer, probe into their thinking and methodology. Find out how they arrived at the answer, check it is based on solid mathematical reasoning and challenge them to explain why?