This seminar for parents was well attended.

1. Problem-Solving Heuristics in Mathematics Dr Yeap Ban Har Marshall Cavendish Institute Singapore [email_address] www.banhar.com Photo Credit : Students solving a mathematics problem using draw-a-diagram heuristic at Da Qiao Primary School.

2. “ Mathematics is an excellent vehicle for the development and improvement of a person’s intellectual competence ...” Singapore Ministry of Education 2006

3. Source: Mathematics Syllabus Primary Singapore Ministry of Education 2006

4. Heuristic: Model Method In a basket, 5/9 of the fruits are apples and the rest are oranges. 3/10 of the apples are green in colour. There are 15 green apples. How many fruits are there in the basket? Source: Primary School Leaving Examination 2006 – 2010

5. The Bar Model Method In a basket, 5/9 of the fruits are apples and the rest are oranges. 3/10 of the apples are green in colour. There are 15 green apples. How many fruits are there in the basket? Source: Primary School Leaving Examination 2006 – 2010 15 3 units = 15 1 units = 5 18 units = 18 x 5 = 90 There are 90 fruits in the basket.

6. King Solomon Academy, London This refers to the two numbers

7. 88 11 units = 88 0 1 unit s = 0 8 First Number = 6 x 8 = 48 Second Number = 5 x 8 = 40 The numbers are 40 and 48. First Number Second Number

8. National Singapore Math Summer Institute Denver, USA

9. 12.2 can be seen as 12 and 20 hundredths. Students who lack number sense may give the incorrect answer of 3.5 instead of 3.05.

10. 3 Example 4

11. 3 4 Example 5

12. 4 Example 5

13. 3 units = $12 1 unit = $4 8 units = 8 x $4 = $32 Kyla had $32 at first. Alternate Method $12 ÷ 3 x 8 = $32 Model Method 5 Example 6

14. Did you get 3 as the final answer?

15. 88 – 34 = 54 54 – 34 = 20 34 – 20 = 14 14 2 units = 14 3 units = 14 ÷ 2 x 3 = 21 21 girls wore goggles on that day.

16. Method 1 Guess and Check / Make a Table Method 2 Using Number Sentences $25 + $2 = $27 $27 : $3 = 9 There were 10 children. Total amount = $8 x 10 + $25 = $105 So each child received $105 : 10 = $10.50 Number of Children 3 $22 + $6 = $28 $24 + $25 = $49 4 … .

17. Method 1 Guess and Check / Make a Table 30 – 3 = 27 5 x 27 = 135 135 : 3 = 45 There were 45 books on each shelf at first.

18. Attached School University of Tsukuba

19. Red Swastika School Workshop for Parents

20. Attached School University of Tsukuba

21. Attached School University of Tsukuba

22. Attached School University of Tsukuba