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The Case For Maths Teaching Reform
Reformation is needed in our methods of teaching Arithmetic. Pupils should be thoroughly drilled in the fundamental principles, forms of analysis and the construction of problems. The teacher should hold the class on one subject until the pupils become familiar with all its phases, having the best ones to construct supplementary problems for the class. When they have once gone through the ordinary text-book, then give them such work as this volume contains and continue the practice of making up problems similar to those in the lesson. When pupils are thus trained, there will be no doubt of their proficiency.It is very important that correct results be obtained and for this reason answers are given, but these are so hidden from the data in the problems that pupils can not well work for the answer. If pupils are unable to solve these problems after having go over the work in the ordinary written arithmetic, special drills are necessary on principles and a written analysis in the preparation of the lesson advisable. In the recitation a complete oral analysis should be given. Slow and thorough work is the only way to make good arithmeticians.
(Taken from: "The Williams & Rogers mental arithmetic, containing thorough oral drill in the principles of arithmetic", 1887)
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