VanessaS Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Washington Post article on a new school math curriculum. I do have to say that for German Kopfrechnen (mental math) you do break down the numbers into easier-to-digest groups for multiplication (not addition!). But you don't do that until you have a solid base of math facts. And you certainly don't do it in writing. Am I completely missing the point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Err...I teach my children to do this when they are doing math in their head but I think you should be able to do it "the old fashioned way" as well. ETA: Just tonight we were having an allowance re-negotiation with the kids. My middle daughter asked: how much would that be for a year? I had her figure (in her head) 4 weeks in a month x the amount= X, X x 13= Y. We figured it faster than hubby could figure 52 x the amount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanessaS Posted February 19, 2008 Author Share Posted February 19, 2008 Well, yes. But that's multiplication, not addition. As I said, we learned to do that, as well. I think what they mean is, for example: 234 + 377 = 200 + 30 + 4 + 300 + 70 + 7 = 200 + 300 + 100 + 4 +7 = 200 + 300 + 100 + 11 = 611 It seems like a lot of bother for nothing. It'd be much faster to just line up the two numbers and add down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Testimony Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 This is how I would add using Singapore Math's method: 674+249 674+250=924 (I was able to figure that in my head) then 924-1=923 I do that in my head a lot when I am in a supermarket. However, I did learn it the traditional way too. It sounds similar to Math-U-See(the article said about drawing pictures) or Singapore math using bar diagrams. The idea is to help a child understand mathematics not just memorize it. Math is everywhere and in everything. When we teach our children in more concrete ways, it helps them to grasp the abstract better. Teaching 1+1=2 is abstract until a child see one box plus another box equals two boxes. So, the purpose of using pictures and diagrams is to help the child go from concrete to abstract faster. The child will grasp algebraic problems better instead of memorizing you put this formula here. They will better understand why the formula is being used. No you are not crazy to think like this. It is understandable because it is different. Blessings, Karen http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 They call the Air Force guy a "homeschooling dad" because he bought $100 of math books from Costco and Sam's Club. There's no mention of taking the kid out of public school. Gosh, I wish that homeschooling were truly that easy. Go to Costco and buy some books. Mmmm...I agree that every parent is ultimately in charge of their child's education, but buying some books doesn't make you into a homeschooling parent. According to the State of Virginia, you aren't a homeschooling parent until you file the paperwork with your local school system. Maybe I'm sore though because we've been at this for seven difficult years...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraDumas Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 At least they realize there are problems with the current math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenstet Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Hi! New here but I have a little experience with this. Our PS teaches "Everyday Math". Similiar to Terc Investigations. This is my first year homeschooling and in the process of trying to find a math program for her I couldn't figure out why all her placement tests put her at such low level when I thought she had covered this stuff in PS. She started the 4th grade here at home but I had to start at the beginning of multiplication. She was considered at grade level for her Math. The only thing she was at grade level for in PS. I really couldn't even consider a Saxon or Singapore because she was all over the place. I would have literally had to start at book one to fill the gaps. So here's my problem with this stuff. They do not require the kids to memorize multiplication facts. They also do not teach traditional algorithms for multiplication or division. They also rely heavily on calculators because it is considered a waste of time to spend too much effort working out problems. The calculator was not an issue for my daughter so it may also depend on how the school utilizes the program. We use Math-U-See and they add and multiply with the partial sums method I think it is also considered expanded notation but he also teaches the standard way and quickly moves on to that method. The PS my daughter went to would mark her problem wrong and have her do the problems over again if she didn't work the problem how they taught. The partial sums method doesn't work for her brain so we skip to the traditional method at home but what I am saying is they don't even expose the kids to traditional multiplication algorithms. I could even understand "Here are 3 ways to do it and find the way that works best for you as long as you get the right answer." Not how it works in my experience. They reference a video in that article and those are the algorithms they are teaching now. So to answer your question, you are not crazy but I feel that way too. Homeschool or public school I don't understand why parents are not jumping up and down in our town about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JESSICAinMD Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 There was something similar on the evening news last night. They mentioned that the United States ranked 24th in math in the world. I am curious to know what the top countries us for their math curriculums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Well, yes. But that's multiplication, not addition. As I said, we learned to do that, as well. I think what they mean is, for example: 234 + 377 = 200 + 30 + 4 + 300 + 70 + 7 = 200 + 300 + 100 + 4 +7 = 200 + 300 + 100 + 11 = 611 It seems like a lot of bother for nothing. It'd be much faster to just line up the two numbers and add down. I see what you're saying but I think people should learn both ways. Because 200+300=500, 30+70=100, 7+4=11 so the answer is 611 is easier to figure in your head. My kids use Horizons math which teaches addition (multiplication, etc) in the traditional way but they also do expanded notation which gives them a better grasp of math concepts. On the other hand, I watched the youtube video and that is insane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 LOL Cadam! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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