Maths is a monster

Duration: 30 min

Creator: Time-Life

Description: Traces the development of the mathematical thinking of elementary school children. Shows that some pass more quickly than others to the abstract stage of reasoning but that all must first have the experience of working with concrete materials. Demonstrates how a teacher plans lessons so that understanding of mathematics comes before the practice and not the practice before the understanding.

Complete Record: Episode of Series “Discovery and Experience”. Considers the effect the research of Jean Piaget has had on the teaching of mathematics. Primary school children think in concrete terms so the lessons of modern maths are drawn from life inside and outside school. Shows children of different abilities tackling various kinds of mathematical work, discovering relations between concepts and developing abstract thinking abilities.

Metadata Source:Catalog of Classroom Teaching Films for Georgia Schools, No. 10 (Georgia Department of Education)