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| Math |
Question: N+8=13
Answer: The question is asking ? + 8 = 13. Try to ask yourself the reverse, 13 - 8 = ?
The answer is 5.
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| Summer reading |
Question: I'm trying to get my 8 year old son into reading this summer. He isn't a very strong reader so I'd like him to practice over the summer. Do you have any suggestion how I can push him to read more.
Answer: This is quite common. First thing, check out the reading category in my 'Free Tips' page. I actually have an article about getting boys to read. I believe that it may help you. Also, the bookstores have a section containing books related to recent movies. If you have taken your son to any of the summer kids movies, this would be a great cross-over to literature. His interest in one of the movies may carry over to some interest in books.
Good luck.
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| Multiplication tables |
Question: What is an easy way to learn multiplication tables?
Answer: In my opinion, the easiest way to learn multiplication tables is pratice, practice and more practice. Just keep drilling the multiplication facts until your child memorizes them. You can make it fun by playing games (please read the multiplication article in my FREE TIPS section for ideas). Multiplication flash cards, multiplication bingo games, and filling in empty spaces in a half-completed multiplication table all work well.
Good luck!
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| paying attention |
Question: My 10 year old had problems staying focused in class this year. What do you suggest?
Answer: Hello Kyle,
I'm not sure to what extent your child's lack of focus has been. If this was a serious problem, I would suggest that you see your family physician. I also recommend that you work with the school to develop a 'behavior plan'.
If your child's case wasn't too serious, please refer to the article I wrote in the "Free Tips' section on 'Paying Attention in Class'.
Good luck,
Stuart Ackerman
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| Reading Fiction |
Question: Hi Mr.A.
Thanks for answering my question.
My son is in grade 4 and he doesn't really like to read fiction. I take him to the library often but he would rather read non fiction. Is this a problem? Should I still push him to read fiction?
Answer: Hello Lisa,
I'm not a big fan of 'pushing' students to read (there are better tricks!).
Firstly, I think it's great that your son is even interested in reading non-fiction! Studies show that boys do prefer non-fiction to fiction.
As far as being a problem, well, yes and no. No, I don't think that this is a problem because reading is reading and if your son genuinely enjoys reading non-fiction, he will still reap the rewards. Conversely, yes, it does pose a slight problem because a) He is missing out on some fine literature b) There are some reading skills that he can get from fiction which may be difficult to get from non-fiction.
So...here's my advice.
1. Expose your son to some good books for his age. I like the 'Geronimo Stilton' series of
books. Grade 4 boys seem to love these books. My personal favourite is the 'Choose Your
Own Adventure" series. They're tons of fun!
2. Find some historical or science fiction books for him. These genres of books contain both
fiction and non-fiction characteristics.
3. Try to show your son how to visualize when reading. Have him describe or draw pictures of
parts of the story. He may be more interested in fiction if he develops the skill of
visualizing the text (i.e. creating a movie in his head).
Good luck.
Stuart Ackerman
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| Measurement difficulties |
Question: Hello. My son has been getting mostly B's in math this year in grade 5. For some reason, he received low C grades in measurement. Do you have any idea why he's not doing well in measurement but he's doing okay in the other math areas?
Thank you.
Answer: I'm sorry to hear that your son has been having difficulties in measurement. The measurement strand of math is often difficult for students because they have difficulty conceptualizing the conversion of units. For example, a student might know what a metre stick or yard stick may look like, but he may have difficulty understanding how many centimetres or inches are within the stick
(even moreso when learning about smaller units).
I have a few suggestions.
1. Use a measuring tape and/or 30cm and metre rulers. "Show" your son the differences between
millimetres, centimetres, and metres (or U.S. Customary units). This will give him a point of
reference.
2. Show your son that 100 centimetres are equivalent to 1 metre (do the same for millimetres,
decimetres, etc...).
3. Once your son has some understanding of the 'relationship' between units, he can then learn
to make conversions (i.e. to change centimetres to metres you multiply by ten...).
I hope this helps. Good luck.
Stuart Ackerman
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