Help---I have an MBA and can't do second grade math!!! (parents, girls) - Children, problems, school, daycare, behavior, age, teenagers, infants - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

Gerania · 12-14-2009, 09:47 AM

I had no idea.

"I have since learned that "Chicago Math" was not developed by the math department, but rather, the department of education at that university, which is now closed. Some of the math professors would like to distance themselves from "Chicago Math", but at this point it is easier said than done."

Chicago Math is Failing our Students

formercalifornian · 12-14-2009, 10:18 AM

I'll be the dissenting voice here. Our elementary school uses EM, and our math scores are some of the highest in our state, and the trend holds all the way through high school. EM definitely has weaknesses, and the lack of drill is one of them (a truly good teacher will supplement)*, but it also has strengths. I particularly like the requirement for students to give written explanations of their methods for finding answers.

As a student during the 70's & 80's, I learned traditional math, but it hasn't been all that difficult for me to learn the Chicago School's methods...and I have an ENGLISH degree! Take a deep breath, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and sit down with the parent packet that comes home with your child at the beginning of each new unit.** Consider asking the school for a copy of the Student Reference book, too. They'll both help you get a better handle on his homework.

* Our school uses Math Fact Cafe
** Here's a link to the Everyday Math second grade parent packets

VBmom · 12-14-2009, 10:33 AM

Are you in North Carolina? We have something called "Investigations" and it is the worst math program ever. They teach 3 or 4 different ways to subtract. It is stupid and confusing to the kids as well as the adults trying to help them at home. Reinventing the wheel never works. Just some curriculum specialist creating a job for him/herself.

Make a conference with the teacher. Ask them to explain it to you. Don't feel stupid. It's the curriculum, not you.

scarmig · 12-14-2009, 11:13 AM

Hehe... our kids learn via Montessori.

So my second grader is doing long addition and subtraction with carrying, simple multiplication and division, and is starting long multiplication next semester.

Yes, they are doing it with bead boards and an abacus... but the point is to teach a thorough understanding of the concept and the application of the concept before ever teaching the symbols. After the concept is thoroughly mastered, the symbols become shortcuts. And since they aren't teaching memorization so much as practice, is okay for the child to go back to the board or the abacus if they can't figure out a symbolic problem in their head. They aren't restricted to a method, but encouraged to find whatever way works best for them.

no kudzu · 12-14-2009, 11:50 AM

VBMom- how did you guess? and in Chapel Hill no less where the taxes are off the wall but supposedly the best school system in the state. I guess I will contact the school for some help on where to learn this stuff myself. My kids get so frustrated with me cause I can't do their math.
"But Mom you have a college degree, why can't you do this?" from the mouth of a 7 year old. And here I thought addition was addition and subtraction was subtration. How silly of me.

And what the heck is Mental Math? Isn't all math mental. When I tell them you just have to memorize some facts like 7 +3 is 10 they tell me no it's not. You have to do it some other way.

formercalifornian · 12-14-2009, 12:10 PM

As I understand it, mental math simply refers to problem solving sans pencil and paper. Anytime you ask a child to solve an equation in his head, he is practicing mental math.

Regarding 7 + 3 = 10: Your kids might be referring to a process by which the break the addends up further, like so

7 + 3 = (5 + 2) + 3 = 5 + (3 + 2) = 5 + 5 = 10

The process introduces them to the associative property of addition, a foundational concept of algebra. This style of addition is also taught in Singapore math, which is highly-regarded and the current darling of the math education community.

Like others, I strongly suggest that you make an appointment with your child's teacher to discuss the program and obtain resources to help you understand EM better.

drjones96 · 12-14-2009, 01:41 PM

I'm an engineer. I've been through 3 levels of Calculus, Differential Equations, Matrix Algebra, and then applied it in all my core engineering classes.

BUT

When my now 6th grader brings home math homework I honestly have a heck of a time with it. The reason isn't because I don't understand the problems or how to do the problems. It's that I know how to do it in many different ways.....when the teacher is looking for the problem to be done in only ONE SINGLE-MINDED WAY.

VBmom · 12-14-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no kudzu

VBMom- how did you guess? and in Chapel Hill no less where the taxes are off the wall but supposedly the best school system in the state. I guess I will contact the school for some help on where to learn this stuff myself. My kids get so frustrated with me cause I can't do their math.
"But Mom you have a college degree, why can't you do this?" from the mouth of a 7 year old. And here I thought addition was addition and subtraction was subtration. How silly of me.

And what the heck is Mental Math? Isn't all math mental. When I tell them you just have to memorize some facts like 7 +3 is 10 they tell me no it's not. You have to do it some other way.

Are you doing the Mental Math on the Week by Week sheet? If so, it is just making up problems that are similar to the problems on the worksheet. At least that's what my students do.

The main thing with Investigations is this: Because there are so many children who cannot learn the old fashioned way, they have come up with 3 or 4 different ways to do the same thing. Number line addition and subtraction, regrouping, etc. It confuses most, helps some. Get with your child's teacher and he/she will explain within 5 minutes. Then you will at least be able to help at home. My school did a math workshop to show the parents. Believe me..All the teachers hate this stuff. It is being crammed down our throats by the "specialist". Another trend (sigh).

formercalifornian · 12-14-2009, 07:43 PM

My bad for assuming that your math curriculum is Everyday Math. Thank goodness for google. I didn't realize there was a similar program called Investigations. Hope you get the help you need.

beachmel · 12-15-2009, 01:19 AM

This experimental math crap is ridiculous. I am not seeing young adults come out of school any smarter than they were when I was in school...doing, plain old math.In fact, so many of these kids are really, incredibly ignorant. They can't spell. They can't do simple fractions to percents and vice versa. The can't write a complete and clear sentence. They can't tell you how much to take off of the price of a shirt if it's $10 and it's %25 off...and they're just getting out of school!!

It's confusing for the kids and when they come home with ridiculous worksheets, no directions, and they ask you for help...it makes ya want to tear out the "powers that be" hair! Even worse, they've revised some of the English rules again as well...pronouns.....avoiding sexism in English (new! in the last 2 years)...just ridiculous. Sigh....okay...done venting!