A Guide to Using Math Lab™
Dear Parent: You know how important learning is to your child’s future. No matter what path your child chooses in life, learning fundamental skills provides the building blocks for future success. A solid foundation is absolutely essential. That is why VTech® designed the FUNdamentals of Learning™ system. This integrated line of learning products focus on one of three key subject areas - Reading, Math or Language.
Math Lab™ LCD SCREEN TIMER BUTTON ON/OFF BUTTON TURN KNOB ADDITION SIGN ACTIVITY SELECTOR PUSH KNOB SUBTRACTION SIGN PULL KNOB 4 FRACTION BUTTONS MULTIPLICATION BUTTON ERASE BUTTON NUMBER BUTTON ENTER BUTTON TO BEGIN PLAY “Gear up!” 1. To begin play, press the ON/OFF button to turn the unit on. You will hear a short tune followed by “Gear up!” 2. Slide the activity selector left or right to select one of the ten activities.
“Bye - bye.” 3. To turn the unit OFF, press the ON/OFF button again. You will hear a short tune followed by “Bye-bye.” 4. Use the ERASE button to delete any answers inputted before the ENTER button has been pressed. Use the ENTER button to confirm all answers. 5. In each activity, you will be asked to pick a level. You can enter the numbers 1, 2 or 3 to choose the level. You can also use the twisting knob. Once the level you want is highlighted, press the ENTER button to select it. “Pick a level!” 6.
MATH LAB™ ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY 1 - COUNTING This activity develops your child’s understanding of numbers, and by adding more objects, these numbers represent the concept of counting. Your child will be asked to count the number of objects he or she sees on the LCD screen. Learning Benefits for Your Child - Counting helps to show your child the basic concept of adding one by one in order to find the total number in a collection.
MATH LAB™ ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY 2 - NUMBER PATTERNS This activity develops your child’s number patterning skills. It will present your child with number patterns and ask your child to find the next number within the pattern presented. Learning Benefits for Your Child - Number Patterns helps to show your child that numbers follow a certain pattern. It allows him or her to identify and work with patterns in the number system. Number patterns serve as the basis for multiplication and division.
MATH LAB™ ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY 3 - ADDITION This activity will allow your child to demonstrate his or her knowledge of addition skills. Your child will have a chance to add objects together through the display of square animations and to add by viewing a numeric equation. Learning Benefits for Your Child - Addition helps your child understand the concept of adding numbers to obtain a sum, or the whole amount.
MATH LAB™ ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY 4 - SUBTRACTION This activity will allow your child to demonstrate his or her knowledge of subtraction skills. Your child will have a chance to subtract objects from a total through the display of square animations and to subtract by viewing a numeric equation. Learning Benefits for Your Child - Subtraction helps your child understand that to take away a number or deduct, he or she is subtracting.
MATH LAB™ ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY 5 - MULTIPLICATION This activity asks your child to solve a variety of multiplication questions by entering answers using the number buttons. Learning Benefits for Your Child - Multiplication allows your child to begin understanding a short way of finding out what would be the result of adding a figure the numbers of times indicated by another figure. It provides an opportunity for your child to solve problems and advance their math knowledge. ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS: 1.
MATH LAB™ ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY 6 - MISSING SIGN This activity asks your child to solve various numeric equations by selecting the correct operation sign. Your child will be asked to find the missing sign to make the equation correct. Learning Benefits for Your Child - Missing Sign allows your child to connect the symbols of + (plus), - (minus) and x (times) with the operations of addition, subtraction and multiplication.
MATH LAB™ ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY 7 - TARGET NUMBER This activity asks your child to solve various questions by using the concepts of addition, subtraction and multiplication learned in the previous activities. Learning Benefits for Your Child - Target Number gives your child the opportunity to apply the skills of adding, subtracting and multiplying by targeting a specific number. This demonstrates the ability for your child to test his or her memory of these math concepts. ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS: 1.
MATH LAB™ ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY 8 - FRACTIONS This activity introduces your child to the concept of fractions (1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2) by asking him or her to use the pie fraction buttons to answer questions. Learning Benefits for Your Child Child- Fractions allows your child to begin learning that a fraction is a part of a whole. It also tests his or her ability to understand that a number (1/4) indicates one or more equal parts of a whole or group. ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS: 1.
MATH LAB™ ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY 9 - TIME This activity introduces your child to the concept of time, and by using the turning knob, he or she will match the analog time with a digital representation. Learning Benefits for Your Child - Time gives your child the opportunity to test his or her ability of understanding different representations of time. This allows him or her to apply these practical applications in his or her daily life. ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Slide the activity selector to “Time.
MATH LAB™ ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY 9 - TIME (continued) 4. In Level 3, you will see a digital time displayed on the LCD screen. You will hear “What time is it?” and you will need to input the time by using the turning knob. For each 60degree turn of the knob, the minute hand will move 15 minutes. Keep turning the knob until the correct time matches the digital time you were given. 5. If you answer correctly, you will hear “You’ve got it!” and you will advance to the next question.
MATH LAB™ ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY 10 - MEMORY CHALLENGE (continued) 2. You will hear “4,3,2,1, Ready, go!” and the unit will begin calling out commands for you to follow. Level 1: You will only use the mathematical input devices. Each time you press, turn push or pull a device, you will hear the operation sign repeated. Level 2: You will use a variety of buttons to answer the random commands. You will be asked to use operation signs, numbers and fractions in this level.
MATH LAB™ BATTERIES BATTERY INSTALLATION 1. Make sure the unit is turned OFF. 2. Locate the battery cover on the back of the unit. Use a coin or screwdriver to open the battery cover. Insert 3 new “AA” (UM-3/ LR6) batteries following the diagram inside the battery compartment. 3. Replace the battery cover and tighten the screw to secure the battery cover. BATTERY NOTICE • • • • Install batteries correctly observing the polarity (+, -) signs to avoid leakage. Do not mix old and new batteries.
MATH LAB™ MAINTENANCE CARE AND MAINTENANCE 1. Keep the unit clean by wiping it with a slightly damp cloth. 2. Keep the unit out of direct sunlight and away from any direct heat source. 3. Remove the batteries when the unit is not in use for an extended period of time. 4. Do not drop the unit on hard surfaces or try to dismantle it. 5. Do not expose the unit to moisture or water.
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