Previous Articles


Problem Solving: More than meets the Eye 
by Kurt Romain on 25 August 2019

Have you considered the process by which math problems are are solved? Problem solving is a process. I’m certain you’ve heard that cliché time and time again at workshops, professional development courses, etc. 
​
...Evidently, children are interested. But their behaviour pinpoints  to only one part of the process of problem solving. 

 Visualization Matters
by Kurt Romain on 18 August 2019

...is there one strategy that rules them all? A master brush that can canvas any mathematical problem and yield a reasonable outcome? I think there is.

 A Cautionary Tale: Using keywords in Math
by Kurt Romain on 10 August 2019

I had been teaching a standard 4 class of mixed ability students. For much of the first few weeks of the term, I had little cause for concern. The class of twenty-two students was working diligently to complete 1-step worded problems involving the 4 operations. A few weeks earlier, I had managed to remediate issues relating to the division algorithm. I was ecstatic about completing the worded problems with similar mastery. Previously, three of my students had struggled with regrouping in subtraction and they were finally efficient with it. These students had problems comprehending words within story problems. Their struggle revolved around reading. As the weeks went by and much of the class transitioned to more difficult problems these students struggled.

Observations & Adjustments for S.E.A 2019 Mathematics 

​■Formatting adjustments
■Item adjustments
■Scoring adjustments
■Teaching emphases and adjustments

​What is a weighted composite score?

The use of composite weighted Scores in the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) Examination places spectacular gains and consequences for the 18,000+ students who sit the S.E.A examinations each year...

​S.E.A Composite Scoring - How are students' scores affected?

A student’s composite score can be negatively affected by other competing scores; even if those scores are lower or higher  than ...

​What can S.E.A teachers do?

The use of composite weighted Scores in the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) Examination places spectacular gains and consequences for the 18,000+ students who sit the S.E.A examinations each year...

2,170 pupils scored less that 30 per cent at SEA​ 2017

... more than 800 must resit the exam

Kurt A. Romain

Teacher

If transitive relation teaches us anything is that. A good education leads to a good life and a good life leads to happiness. Education = Happiness
Dear parents,
I am a teacher. The SEA is not as important to me, as just wanting students to achieve my understanding of "best." I'm not big on 1st choice or 4th choice. I believe passing for a school gives a child the opportunity to get a secondary education. In other words, the school does not define the child just as a mark or grade does not define the child. A child getting 30% is not enough for me to say "you're lazy, don't try, and not smart" it's unfair to attach a label on a student because I saw a low mark. There are so many other questions that must be asked, so why commit to judging the student. As SEA draws nearer, my concern is one of effort. I realize a change in pupils, the genetic rumblings of puberty, the pressure to perform, the lessons commitment, and the adaptation to all the other people stressing about their life. It might be enough to throw in the towel. Personally, I would like students to be as proud as they can be about their work. That pride comes not just from a higher score. It comes from small successes. I remember my std 5 class. I struggled with memorizing prime numbers. Then one day I got it. After enough practice I got it. Sure, I got other questions wrong but just knowing my prime number question, which I had struggled with for months, was correct was a reward on its own. Learning is a process of improving on mistakes and misconceptions. We don't learn 5 new things everyday. So it's not realistic to expect them to be super bright just because it's being done everyday. Parents try to re-calibrate your expectations of success, many of you have seen growth in them, but want more, and want it faster. I urge you to be pleased with the growth. As a teacher, my concern has always been the behaviour of students. Lately, the child have been really mean to each other, saying nasty stuff and doing really inappropriate things. Their judgement seems to be regressing. I know it isn't, but it seems to be. Do your best this weekend to repurpose your child with heartfelt words of encouragement and support for their efforts. (who knows, it could be they got better at remembering prime numbers, but we missed it)​

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