The First Step towards Good Computational Skills

Maybe you aren't satisfied with your computational skills. If you want to improve them, check the quality of your simple mental computations first. I keep in view simple mental addition and subtraction within the limits of 20, simple mental multiplication and division within the limits of 100. Everyone knows these operations must be carried out correctly and quickly. But how can we measure the correctness and quickness of their execution? For this purpose you can use simple tables which may be named stochastic.

You can draw such tables yourself, but do not waste time. Take the tables free at my site Prevention of Failure in School Math. There are two possibilities to get them: a Word file (TablesWord) and a computer program (PrintTables). The program allows to print both blank tables and checklists for them (the same tables but with the answers). The checklists will help you to find your errors. Furthermore you need a stopwatch to measure a running time.

Each table contains 64 uniform elementary operations on one of the arithmetical rules – addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. I name these tables stochastic because the sequences of addends, subtrahends etc. were chosen by chance. The accidental selection of required numbers simulates spontaneous appearance of corresponding operations in ordinary computations.

As soon as you get the tables, you can begin to examine the quality of your skills. Take one of the tables, switch on your stopwatch, fill in the table, switch off the stopwatch and write down the running time. Then print the corresponding checklist, check your answers and write down number of your errors. Now you can find whether your skills are sufficient to master more complicated computations or not. If you are more than 12 years old, the criteria are next.

Your skills are first-rate if there are no errors and the running time is:

on addition – not more than 2 minutes 25 seconds;

on subtraction – not more than 2 minutes 30 seconds;

on multiplication – not more than 2 minutes 20 seconds;

on division – not more than 2 minutes 10 seconds.

Your skills are good if there are no errors and the running time is:

on addition – not more than 3 minutes 55 seconds;

on subtraction – not more than 4 minutes 00 seconds;

on multiplication – not more than 3 minutes 35 seconds;

on division – not more than 2 minutes 50 seconds.

Your skills are satisfactory if there is not more than 1 error and the running time is:

on addition – not more than 4 minutes 50 seconds;

on subtraction – not more than 5 minutes 00 seconds;

on multiplication – not more than 4 minutes 20 seconds;

on division – not more than 3 minutes 35 seconds.

Your skills are unstable (and hardly sufficient to master more complicated computations) if there are not more than 2 errors and the running time is:

on addition – not more than 6 minutes 55 seconds;

on subtraction – not more than 7 minutes 15 seconds;

on multiplication – not more than 5 minutes 55 seconds;

on division – not more than 5 minutes 10 seconds.

Your skills are bad in all other cases - you have made more than 2 errors OR the running time overcomes the values for the unstable skills.

If you show bad results, you have no chances to master more complicated computations. If your results are unstable, you will have considerable difficulties. Maybe you have them already. But do not lose hope. You can easily improve the situation.

Take the tables again (there are 20 versions). Fill in the tables, measure the running time, check the answers. Soon you will feel your skills become better. Do not stop the work at the satisfactory level and even at the good level. You can perform better! The first-rate skills - this is your goal. You can win and get a very useful prize - the possibility to master well more complicated computations.

For children who are 12 years old or younger I'll list the criteria for the first-rate skills only. More detailed figures you will receive with the tables. Of course the first-rate skills exclude mistakes. So you need only the values of running time.

8 years old: addition – 5 minutes; subtraction – 5 minutes 5 seconds; multiplication – 4 minutes 35 seconds; division – 3 minutes 55 seconds.

9 years old: addition – 4 minutes 40 seconds; subtraction – 4 minutes 45 seconds; multiplication – 4 minutes 15 seconds; division – 3 minutes 35 seconds.

10 years old: addition – 3 minutes 40 seconds; subtraction – 3 minutes 45 seconds; multiplication – 3 minutes 15 seconds; division – 2 minutes 35 seconds.

11 years old: addition – 3 minutes 20 seconds; subtraction – 3 minutes 25 seconds; multiplication – 2 minutes 55 seconds; division – 2 minutes 20 seconds.

12 years old: addition – 2 minutes 40 seconds; subtraction – 2 minutes 45 seconds; multiplication – 2 minutes 30 seconds; division – 2 minutes 15 seconds.

School Stress Buster

As the schools’ syllabuses get complex and workload increase, students are bound to be stressed at times. Stress is part and parcel of life and learning to cope with it is part of the objective of an education. Here are 8 important concepts to follow to make your time in school a pleasant one:

1. Why?

Identify all the positive reasons for all the hard work and effort you are putting into getting good grades. Is it for yourself and your parents, or for your relatives? Is it so that you can become a pilot, lawyer or a teacher? These reasons should be empowering or perhaps put a smile on your face when you think about them.

2. Stationary

Being well stocked with pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, writing pad and files ensures that you need not worry about not having any basic material on hand. Acquire the good habit of filing and adopt an organized system of filing, so that you know exactly where to find your notes and worksheets when you need to. This saves you a lot of time.

3. Punctuality

Be on time for all your classes. Dragging your feet into lessons and being late will not please your teacher and it adds to everyone’s negative vibes about each other. The same goes for your homework. It is best to plan to finish your work before deadlines, not right on deadlines. You tend to be late when you plan to finish just on time.

4. Ask

Your teachers have an abundance of subject resources with them. If you need any help at all, always approach them. They will be more than happy to direct you to resources or even give some of their own to you. If you need help with some of your weaker subjects, do not hesitate to ask for tuition.

5. Interesting Subjects

When you have a choice of which subjects to take or which topics to work on for projects, always choose those for which you have the most interest. This makes learning fun for you and you are usually much more productive. Avoid choosing topics/subjects just because you think they will impress your teacher or your friends,

6. Schedule

Allocate specific time slots everyday for homework and leisure. It is normally advised that you clear up your work first before relaxing. It is always better to allocate slightly more time than is needed than to underestimate, because not being able to finish up work usually leads to panic.

7. Study Environment

Make sure you have a quiet and pleasant environment for learning. Having a proper chair and table of the correct height will save you from getting aches and cramps. Your table should be clean. Having it too cluttered normally disturbs you subconsciously. Take 5 minute breaks after every hour of study to rest your body and mind. You will come back more refreshed and more productive than before.

8. Study Style

The best style of studying that has proven to work is through regular revision. You tend to feel more prepared for classes and ready to do your homework when you follow this style.

How to help your child with homework?

It is estimated that parents spend an average of six hours a week on helping their children with homework. If you show interest and give support early on, it will encourage your child to develop positive attitudes to learning, in and out of school.

You will benefit, too. You'll get to know your child's particular strengths and difficulties and you will also find out what he's studying. Your child's school will also gain by having motivated pupils and well-informed parents who are fully involved with their children's education.

As your child gets older, of course, he needs to become more independent. Helping your child to get organized, providing equipment and a quiet place to work and offering lots of encouragement will get him off to the right start.

Most schools also issue a homework diary where children write down what they have been set and when it is due. You should check it every week (and sign it if the school asks you to).

How to help

· Make sure you are familiar with any school guidelines on homework.

· Ask the school for copies of any leaflets about supporting children at home.

· Watch out for school newsletters advertising parents' subject sessions. These are really useful for learning about modern teaching methods.

· Nominate somewhere at home as a homework area. It needs a flat surface, a good light source and resources such as pens, pencils, rulers, scissors, glue, dictionary and notebook to hand.

· Set up a daily routine. Plan a homework timetable so you both know what your child needs to do and when. If your child is at secondary school he will probably be told which subject teacher will set homework on each day.

· It’s a good idea if your child has a break and something to eat before starting on homework.

· Ask your child to explain the homework task and how it follows on from what he was studying at school.

· Be interested and be on hand to talk to your child about what he has learnt so far.

· Help your child to become an independent learner. Explain how to look up information or find a word in a dictionary rather than simply giving an answer in order to get the task finished.

· Don’t be tempted to teach your child methods you used at school.

· Turn off the television while homework is underway but do let your child listen to music if he finds it helpful.

· Use home/school books to note how your child tackles the task, what is done well and where he has difficulties. (Remember, your child is probably one of 30 so keep your comments brief!) Read carefully any comments that your child's teacher makes in return.

· Discourage your child from copying when he's asked to do research tasks. Talk about the information together, work out the key facts and help your child to write these down as brief notes.

· Be positive about your child's attempts. If you have concerns about his progress, make an appointment with the school.

· Don’t let homework become a chore. Make it a special time that you both look forward to.

A word of warning: Schools are extremely keen that parents become fully involved in their children's education but please don't be tempted to correct homework and make your child copy it out. Schools need to know how much your child understands and can do independently.