When I came across the Mortensen More Than Math program a few years back I knew I had come across a gem. It allowed me to remedy the lack of basic arithmetic skills in high school students and at the same time teach them Algebra and other higher math concepts. The concrete visual approach was fun, easy, and a confidence booster too. I knew right away that there was no going back to the traditional model of teaching math. It wasn’t long before I realized that this program was not just for older students but that younger students could benefit from it too. I went from mainly working with struggling high school students to introducing basic arithmetic skills through Algebra and other higher math concepts to elementary students. The photo below shows that Algebra concepts, such as binomial multiplication, can be introduced and understood with ease at a very young age. There is no need to wait until the teen years. In fact I believe we are doing a disservice to students by making them wait until high school before being introduced to Algebra and other higher math concepts. They should be introduced to the concepts right from the start. We should use higher math concepts to teach lower math concepts – use math to teach math. I will admit that had I been told ten years ago that it was possible for a 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 year old to easily learn high school math concepts I would have said “No way!” and probably laughed out loud at the perceived absurdity of it but I have seen it and it is possible with Mortensen More Than Math.
Arithmetic to Algebra
Incrfedible!! Can you show us how you teach this concept?
Denise I sent you an email.