Concept 1 · free preview
Maxims of teaching — 1: start from the known, simple and concrete
Understand
Maxims are short rules about the order of teaching. Their common core: start from what the child already has and move gradually to the new, the harder and the abstract.
| Maxim | Meaning | Classroom example |
|---|---|---|
| Known to unknown | Familiar to unfamiliar | Own village, then district, then state |
| Simple to complex | Easier to harder content | Single-digit addition first, carrying later |
| Concrete to abstract | Objects to symbols | Show 5 real pencils, then write the numeral '5' |
| Indefinite to definite | Vague ideas to clear concepts | Feeling of 'big/small' before units of measurement |
Example
A geography lesson starts with the pupils' village, then the district and the state. The village is known, the district and state less known → 'known to unknown'.
Remember
'Real object → symbol/numeral' = concrete to abstract; 'easy → hard' = simple to complex; 'familiar place/experience → new' = known to unknown.
Common mistake
Mixing up 'simple to complex' and 'known to unknown'. The first is about difficulty, the second about familiarity.
Check yourself
Before writing the numeral '5', a teacher shows five pencils. Which maxim?
Answer: Concrete to abstract.