Introduction to the Soroban - Softcover

Markarian, Kimie; Clausen-May, Tandi; Pope, Sue

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1898611289 ISBN 13: 9781898611288

Publisher: Association of Teachers of Mathematics, 2004

Synopsis

Soroban is the name of the Japanese abacus, used for 450 years, since its arrival in Japan from China in the middle of the 16th century. In Japan, the art of using the soroban has been carefully cultivated: in 1928, soroban examinations were established by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with more than a million candidates sitting the tests by 1959. Although complex calculations are now carried out by computers, the soroban is still in use in offices and shops, alongside computers and electronic calculators. When used by an expert, the soroban is capable of difficult calculations, but at a more basic level it can also be a useful tool in general mathematics education. It enables figures to be represented in a concrete visual way, which can help pupils' grasp of numbers, particularly in understanding place value and in overcoming problems arising from the irregular construction of number words in the '-teens' and '-tys'. This is revised and extended version of the ATM booklet ‘An Introduction to the Soroban’ published in 1998. Soroban can be used effectively in whole class teaching: where schools do not have access to a large teaching soroban, a soroban frame drawn on an OHP transparency can substitute. There are certain conventions connected with soroban use which may be introduced to create a distinctive working atmosphere. Carefully graded and clearly illustrated steps follow, in order to show the fingering, and include calculations to give practice in using the soroban. At each step the mathematical concepts being developed are identified, so that teachers will know how to devise their own activities. Additional worksheets are provided to support understanding of important number principles including: place value, number bonds to 5 and 10, complements of powers of 10 and mental calculation techniques.

About this title

Synopsis

This book gives a comprehensive introduction to using the Soroban in the classroom. It includes a brief history of the Soroban and a rationale for its use, which shows how the use of a soroban can aid the visualisation of number and mental calculation.Carefully graded and clearly illustrated steps follow, in order to show the fingering, and included calculations to give practise in using the soroban. At each step the mathematical concepts being developed are identified, so that teachers will know how to devise their own activities. Additional worksheets are provided to support understanding of important number principles including: place value, number bonds to 5 and 10, complements of powers of 10 and mental calculation techniques.

Edition details

• Publisher: Association of Teachers of Mathematics
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1898611289
• ISBN 13: 9781898611288
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48