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Algebra for beginners please

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:49 pm
by denis denis
My son's teacher has said that they don't cover algebra before the Kent test :roll: so we want to give him a crash course so that he can at least make an educated guess at the algebra questions.

Any ideas on good books or websites?

Thanks!

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:58 pm
by Bewildered
Have a look at the BBC KS3 Bitesize Maths website. They have a nice visual way of introducing Algebra.
Its easy to digest, and an interesting way to introduce children to this wonderful Maths Topic :shock:

HTH

:)

BW

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:18 am
by denis denis
Hi Bewildered

Thanks so much for that, I've had a look and it looks great, just what I was after!

Denis denis

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:12 am
by yoyo123
you could try the colouring by numbers sheet from teh link I posted recently , I've been using that with my lot.

also explain it as a puzzle. There are a lot of good games etc on teh web if you google, gameaquarium has agood selection.

Also the wonderful usborne dictionary of maths

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:13 am
by yoyo123

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:07 pm
by Bexley Mum 2
Do you know if there definitely is algebra in the Kent test? I've always understood that there could be one or two algebra questions in the Bexley test but there was none two years ago or this year (unless my sons didn't notice!).

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 6:10 pm
by denis denis
Bexley Mum 2 wrote:Do you know if there definitely is algebra in the Kent test? I've always understood that there could be one or two algebra questions in the Bexley test but there was none two years ago or this year (unless my sons didn't notice!).
There are some in the Nfer Nelson practice papers I've bought.

yoyo, thanks so much for the link, my son will love that, and he won't think of it as work!

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:04 pm
by Guest
denis denis
I know it's hard not to get worked up about any perceived gaps but, this close to the exams, I really wouldn't get too hung up on algebra. If there are any algebra questions it will probably only be one or two out of 50.

Missing them out and having a couple of extra minutes on the rest wouldn't be a disaster. It is unlikely to be a significant part of the test because KCC don't want to disadvantage kids from state primaries who have had no extra tuition. I don't think algebra is on the KS2 curriculum at all. There may, therefore, be better things to focus on in the run up to the exams. Christmas for example.

By the way, my child spent 10 minutes (!!) on a question in last year's Kent practice test trying to solve it using algebra. Then realised it wasn't an algebra question at all and solved it in 10 seconds by a method which she said would have been immediately obvious if she hadn't been "looking" for algebra questions. She thought this was hilarious....

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:10 pm
by yoyo123
:D

you're welcome!!

I love gameaquarium

I really must get a life!!!

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:44 am
by denis denis
Anonymous wrote:denis denis
I know it's hard not to get worked up about any perceived gaps but, this close to the exams, I really wouldn't get too hung up on algebra. If there are any algebra questions it will probably only be one or two out of 50.

Missing them out and having a couple of extra minutes on the rest wouldn't be a disaster. It is unlikely to be a significant part of the test because KCC don't want to disadvantage kids from state primaries who have had no extra tuition. I don't think algebra is on the KS2 curriculum at all. There may, therefore, be better things to focus on in the run up to the exams. Christmas for example.

By the way, my child spent 10 minutes (!!) on a question in last year's Kent practice test trying to solve it using algebra. Then realised it wasn't an algebra question at all and solved it in 10 seconds by a method which she said would have been immediately obvious if she hadn't been "looking" for algebra questions. She thought this was hilarious....
Hi Guest

Thanks for your advice. I'm really not "hung up" on algebra questions, just wanted to introduce it to my son as he is on the gifted and talented register for maths at school and I thought he would grasp the basics quite easily, and it would make him feel more confident about taking the test.

Thanks also for the advice on concentrating on Christmas rather than the impending 11+. We have been doing tests 24 hours a day for several weeks now and I had completely forgotten about Christmas and enjoying ourselves :roll:

Denis denis