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Mathematics
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Mathematics

In many schools, maths teachers nowadays are too interested in students solving for the correct answer using risky, short-term methods. Undeniably, the ultimate goal may be to get the correct answers and in turn, attain a higher score on standardized tests. But in many cases, unlike maths teachers at dot Ed, they create an intense amount of mnemonics and catchy phrases for students to memorize formulas and theorems. Although mnemonics and catchy phrases are popular forms of learning, students ultimately neither learn the historic development of the Pythagorean Theorem, nor challenge themselves to prove the theorem’s validity other than use of random integer plug-ins. This, in itself, can prove detrimental in later years of mathematical study. All in all, many maths teachers dismiss the formula proofs altogether. At best, they assign the printed proof from the textbook for homework as a reading assignment and never review it in subsequent classes. After all, what use is learning the history of the formula if it won’t give you points on a standardized test. That's not our belief here at dot Ed.

Acknowledging this blatant, but too often ignored, problem, we make it our goal to provide time for students to truly understand formulas beyond irrelevant mnemonics. We do not discount mnemonics and catchy phrases for formula memorization, but we mostly value the need for students to understand mathematical concepts in its original form. Using curricula from Singapore Maths and Finnish Core Maths, we teach students to draw bar diagrams that make advanced word problems easily solvable. And frankly, mathematics taught outside of the U.S. heavily involve diagrams and logical thinking for elementary school students to solve near high-school level algebra word problems. This process undoubtedly is more time consuming, but it is more valuable for long-term goals beyond standardized tests.

We customize our classes to meet each student's needs. We would love to work with you to enrich your understanding of maths, develop your problem-solving skills, and hone your ability to think analytically.

Popular topics that our effective teachers regularly help students with include:
  • Word problems
  • Algebra
  • Calculus
  • Geometry
  • Probability
  • Statistics
  • Trigonometry
  • AP Exams

For more examples of how we teach students to analyze, solve, and apply maths, visit our blog:
Ed's Scribbles

Example 1:
Students learn to use diagrams to organize and understand the sum of a simple arithmetic series—the set of odd numbers.

Students use diagrams to understand arithmetic series.

Example 2:
Using bar graphs, fourth graders analyze and solve complex word problems involving changing ratios.


Question:
East Coast Shelter had as many dogs as it did cats on October 1. After some families adopted 16 cats and 28 dogs, the ratio of the number of dogs to that of cats is now 3:4. How many dogs and how many cats did East Coast Shelter have at the beginning of October?

Solution:
Bar graphs help students solve complex word problems.
From this diagram, students see two things:
  1. the total number of dogs was 3 units and 28.
  2. the total number of cats was 4 units and 16.

Now, if they focus on the right side of the diagram, they'll notice that 1 unit is 28 - 16 = 12.
Bar graphs help students solve complex word problems.
Because 1 unit is 12 dogs, 3 units = 3 × 12 dogs = 36 dogs.
The total number of dogs must have been 36 + 28 = 64. The number of cats must have been 64 too.


Enroll Today   •   Call: 646.789.5668   •   E-mail: info@dot-ed.com