Problem Solving & Contest Training
for MathOlympiads, MathCounts, International Math Contests, AMC, SAT
FunMental - the Verbal Mental Math System (K-6, school Yr-Rd)
FunMental Registration form online Registration
The program is designed to teach students to perform mental calculations verbally without the use of pencil and paper. We not only teach the calculation skills, but also train students in listening and concentration skills. Students will practice saying the answers after listening to questions, in addition to reading the problems.
Sample listening problems are:
· “Nina has 3 brothers. Last month a baby sister was born. How many brothers and sisters (“siblings” is used for higher graders) does Nina have now?“
· “The box had 6 markers. The professor put 9 more. But now there are only 11 left. How many markers are missing? “
· “The game cost $30. I have $15, Cameron has $5 and Alex has $10. Do we have enough money to buy the game?”
· “Susan went to the bakery to buy 24 cupcakes for her birthday party. The cupcakes cost $5 a dozen. She paid with a $20 bill. What would be her change? “
These skills help not only school work in terms of speed and accuracy but also solving real life problems such as calculating the saving during shopping and/or deciding for a better deal. Most children do not like to do math problems on paper but do see verbal math problems as a game and a challenge.
Methods taught are natural and simple allowing anyone (young or old) to perform without much painstaking efforts. Based on the simple arithmetic and decimal fundamentals, students will learn brilliant mental mathematic short cuts:
- Calculate naturally - from left to right and say the answer as you calculate. It is as natural as reading a book…
- Learn fast addition and subtraction techniques without having to remember the dreaded “carry digit".
- Verify answers quickly, saving lots of time.
- Multiply any 2-digit numbers together mentally within seconds.
- Learn ingenious ways of performing division, fractions, percent, square root, & simple algebra
As each skill is built on top of each other, the program is divided into levels with defined expectations and goals for each level. Students should complete a level before moving up to a higher level.
This class is recommended for all students who wish to master the mental calculation with speed and accuracy. Students are required to bring a timer to class or purchase one from us.
2009-2010 Class Schedule (1hr/wk)
Level | Grade | Calculation Contents | Goals | Samples | MilpitasSite | ||
K-1 | “0-20”: +, - “0-100”: +, - | 30 problems in 1 min verbally 30 problems in 2 min verbally | Sun 1-2pm | Sat 1:30-2:30pm | Sat 9-10am | ||
2-3 | “0-1000”: +, - 12 x 12 time table, simple division | 30 problems in 3 min verbally 5 mins | Sun 1-2pm | Sat 1:30-2:30pm
| Sat 9-10am | ||
4+ | Multi-digits x single digit Special 2 digits x 2 digits, Squares | 1 min verbally 30s verbally | Sun 1-2pm | Sat 1:30-2:30pm
| Sat 9-10am |
