Math Curriculum - Suburban Districts (Newtown, Dublin: 2014, how much, middle school)

[Angus215]

I'm curious as to people's experiences with the public school math curriculum in suburban districts. The last time I lived in PA, a few years ago, they had just started the ridiculous common core curriculum, where parent's couldn't even figure out what the questions were asking, much less the kids. Rather than teach math facts, they taught math "strategies", and a correct answer was wrong if you couldn't explain which "strategy" was used to get it.

Is that still the case, or has it evolved in the past few years? I'll be moving back shortly, but don't know that I want to put my kids through that experience again. Specifically would be looking at districts in the northern suburbs - Upper Dublin, Wissahickon, Colonial, North Penn, etc. Has anyone had experiences, good or bad, at the elementary/middle school level in those areas? Private school would be an option as well, but would rather avoid the cost.

[NewtownBucks]

Originally Posted by Angus215

I'm curious as to people's experiences with the public school math curriculum in suburban districts. The last time I lived in PA, a few years ago, they had just started the ridiculous common core curriculum, where parent's couldn't even figure out what the questions were asking, much less the kids. Rather than teach math facts, they taught math "strategies", and a correct answer was wrong if you couldn't explain which "strategy" was used to get it.

Is that still the case, or has it evolved in the past few years? I'll be moving back shortly, but don't know that I want to put my kids through that experience again. Specifically would be looking at districts in the northern suburbs - Upper Dublin, Wissahickon, Colonial, North Penn, etc. Has anyone had experiences, good or bad, at the elementary/middle school level in those areas? Private school would be an option as well, but would rather avoid the cost.

My kids were in Newtown Friends School for early elementary (now Council Rock public schools). Newtown Friends taught something called Singapore Math, which, to the best of my knowledge, was designed in Asia for the sole purpose of Asians making fun of Americans because they can't understand it. I would be very careful about private schools in this regard.

[1ondoner]

I'm not a teacher, educationist or mathematician, however, if your kids are struggling in Maths get them a tutor, Mathnasium or Kumon. No use blaming the school, or the curriculum.

Originally Posted by Angus215

I'm curious as to people's experiences with the public school math curriculum in suburban districts. The last time I lived in PA, a few years ago, they had just started the ridiculous common core curriculum, where parent's couldn't even figure out what the questions were asking, much less the kids. Rather than teach math facts, they taught math "strategies", and a correct answer was wrong if you couldn't explain which "strategy" was used to get it.

Is that still the case, or has it evolved in the past few years? I'll be moving back shortly, but don't know that I want to put my kids through that experience again. Specifically would be looking at districts in the northern suburbs - Upper Dublin, Wissahickon, Colonial, North Penn, etc. Has anyone had experiences, good or bad, at the elementary/middle school level in those areas? Private school would be an option as well, but would rather avoid the cost.

[Angus215]

Originally Posted by 1ondoner

I'm not a teacher, educationist or mathematician, however, if your kids are struggling in Maths get them a tutor, Mathnasium or Kumon. No use blaming the school, or the curriculum.

I just think it’s a stupid way to teach math, and don’t want my kids to be taught that way, which is why I’m trying to get a sense for which districts are doing it. They excel at math in a normal curriculum, like where we live right now, and I don’t really want to pay a tutor to teach them nonsense.

[chessimprov]

Originally Posted by Angus215

I just think it’s a stupid way to teach math, and don’t want my kids to be taught that way, which is why I’m trying to get a sense for which districts are doing it. They excel at math in a normal curriculum, like where we live right now, and I don’t really want to pay a tutor to teach them nonsense.

It's not nonsense at all!
People learn differently. Multiple methods should be shown on a single problem if possible initially, but then showing work efficiently unless a breakdown is necessary is key. People can try to figure out with their own methods if they are not able to do so with the traditional methods. (Some) newer methods are easier to utilize, but require a ton more work whereas the traditional methods tend to be more difficult to learn.

[MB1562]

Originally Posted by Angus215

I just think it’s a stupid way to teach math, and don’t want my kids to be taught that way, which is why I’m trying to get a sense for which districts are doing it. They excel at math in a normal curriculum, like where we live right now, and I don’t really want to pay a tutor to teach them nonsense.

If you knew anything about math, you'd realize that the "Common Core" way actually teaches a conceptual understanding of math, rather than just rote memorization. You and I learned simply how to memorize a formula and repeat the steps. This is why most people can't do math above basic algebra. Singapore Math, which is what a lot of what Common Core standards are based on, is the most effective way for teaching math. It shows because Singapore is lightyears ahead of of the United States in how well students do in math. So while you may not be able to grasp math this way, as a teacher I see how much more effective it is in setting kids up to be more successful in math, especially in the more advanced topics.

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by Angus215

I just think it’s a stupid way to teach math, and don’t want my kids to be taught that way, which is why I’m trying to get a sense for which districts are doing it. They excel at math in a normal curriculum, like where we live right now, and I don’t really want to pay a tutor to teach them nonsense.

Exactly! I don't think 1londoner understands your question or concern.

It's not about doing well or not. I developed many of these techniques naturally after having learned the basics but it's weird to teach it.

For example, let the kid figure out on their own the answer to 102 minus 30. Don't teach them right out of the gate to subtract 3 from 10, add a zero to the ten column, and then add 2 to get the answer.

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by Angus215

I'm curious as to people's experiences with the public school math curriculum in suburban districts. The last time I lived in PA, a few years ago, they had just started the ridiculous common core curriculum, where parent's couldn't even figure out what the questions were asking, much less the kids. Rather than teach math facts, they taught math "strategies", and a correct answer was wrong if you couldn't explain which "strategy" was used to get it.

Is that still the case, or has it evolved in the past few years? I'll be moving back shortly, but don't know that I want to put my kids through that experience again. Specifically would be looking at districts in the northern suburbs - Upper Dublin, Wissahickon, Colonial, North Penn, etc. Has anyone had experiences, good or bad, at the elementary/middle school level in those areas? Private school would be an option as well, but would rather avoid the cost.

Here's the OP ^^ Let's focus on answering his question and not whether we think his question is worthy of an answer. I'd suggest moving on to another topic if you don't know the answer or think the question is not to your liking.

[pookybean]

We are in Upper Moreland and I think they are using Everyday Math curriculum. It is common core aligned (it seems like just about everything is now...sigh). I don't care for it, and I gave up going over it and trying to learn it along with my daughter. The one time I tried to teach her the "old way" the teacher asked me not to.

In regards to finding out what each district does and what curriculum they use, if you do a google search for the district and math curriculum (ex Upper Dublin math curriculum) you should be able to find what you are looking for. I would suggest doing it for the private schools too...because you never know. I found that the curriculum that was used in the city charter my daughter went to before moving here was VERY different and she is still catching up after 3 years in the district.

[FromGA]

I wonder if the wierdness is only in the early years of Math, and once they get into geometry, prealgebra, and higher -- how many different ways can there be to teach these? There can't be that many ways to teach middle and high school Math??

I think my kids are under common core (but I dont know what it means). I learnt my Math in India. When I follow up on my kids' Math in middle and high, it seems OK.

Angus, I recall communicating with you in 2014 when we first moved to the northern suburbs (it may have been our other account, as I dont see your messages in my DM list). We have had nothing but great experiences in the Montco public school system. Welcome back (didn't know you had left, and I recall you used to be fond of the city)!