Meissen Cards Set of Basic Maths Symbols
The Meissen Set of cards is part of the Elbe range [elbe] ~ a group of mathematical symbol and numeral recognition cards that is available from the Busy Busy Shop [shop]. For convenience the cards are arranged into various sets ~ some of which duplicate part of the content of others. The aim of this is to avoid having to buy cards that are not required, especially since mailing costs can be more than the cost of the cards. This ~ the Meissen Set is a group of five cards printed with the simplest mathematical symbols. They are available from our shop [shop for Meissen].
The Elbe cards ~ and their various subsets ~ are intended as an aid for home-educators. They can be used to complement school work (and ~ please ~ never to contradict what teachers may be doing). Using cards makes a change from writing things down. They can be used for learning shapes before handwriting is introduced.
Tutors should remember that talking about things is a vital part of learning ~ there is a huge and varied vocabulary to maths, and other subjects, that has to be clearly understood and mastered by the pupil.
'Chatting repetition' is one of the best things that home tutors ~ with their one-to-one opportunity ~ can do for their charges. For example ~ think of these ~ 'multiply' ~ 'multiplication' ~ 'product' ~ 'times' ~ and the various shortcut codes such as '×' and even (later, perhaps) '.' ~ and finally 'nothing at all' as in ab². When chatting any of these synonymous words and codes can be used. It is possible that the class teacher favours just one or two words ~ as reminder of 'times tables' perhaps. A remedial teacher told me the other day of a pupil sent to her for help. He was good at multiplying ~ his complaint was that 'We have not done products yet'. He was soon back in the main stream. He might have been lost forever had he stayed ~ puzzled and lost ~ in the main group.
Because we consider it to be an essential and useful addition to the numeral cards ~ the Meissen Set is incorporated in most other sets of Elbe Cards. The full range is described on the Elbe Cards page [elbe].
The Lilienstein Set of fifteen more symbol and algebraically useful cards is under preparation, but is not yet available [lilienstein].
