Primary-5: Calculating with Brackets (Math)
Primary-5 students learned about how to calculate with brackets. In mathematics, brackets are a set of marks that are used to enclose a group of terms or calculations. A mathematical notation or symbol makes it possible to separate grouped expressions in algebra. Brackets are also used to show the order of operations. The operations inside the brackets must be calculated first to achieve the correct result. For example, in the expression 3 × (7+5), 7+5 must be evaluated before the quantity is multiplied by 3.
Students started the activity by reading the word problem given and trying to understand the purpose of the word problems. The teacher used some beads as models to show the Maths work and explain further about calculating with brackets.
Students worked in groups to do the worksheet. The worksheet encouraged students to understand deeper about calculating with brackets involving the word problem. The teacher provided some beads and paper plates to help students understand the word problems and make the models. They did not only construct the models but interpreted the models into mathematical sentences and answered them.
As the learning confirmation, students presented their work, and the teacher confirmed it. Through this activity, students are trained to calculate using brackets so that their skills in solving word problems can improve well. They will also be accustomed to solving problems in real-life situations structurally and steps by step until they get the correct results. ***
