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Is it possible to homeschool in one topic only?
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Anonymous
| You can google it. But the main thing is that it is a spiral curriculum, which is now believed to be a no no. It also introduces some topics too early at the expense of some basics. There is a series in the WaPo now about Math education that I have been reading. |
Anonymous
| why is it a no-no? it seems to have really helped my DC but I guess some parents think it is redundant. |
Anonymous
| With spiraling, the topics aren't brought to completion. It seems to be a problem with poor foundation. In math, everything builds on the previous. Everyday Math introduces topics before the step before has been mastered. |
Anonymous
I agree Everyday math seems bogus...more like translating math into word games than actually teaching the mechanics of basic math... |
Anonymous
| OP, you could supplement school math instruction with online software made available by Riverdeep ... they will sell you a one year license for about $50. The software is used by schools and homeschoolers and would not only provide your child with math practice, but actually teaches the concepts in a very child friendly way. My child's school uses Everyday Math too, and I plan to just supplement that program on the side using this software. |
Anonymous
how many years has your child's school been using everyday math? |
Anonymous
| OP here, we are using Singapore Math. I love it and it is easy to use. I will take a peek at Riverdeep. |
Anonymous
| 16:06 here. I am not sure how long the school has been using Every Day Math ... many years I think. It has been excellent for my child who is just starting first grade this year. Very young kids approach math differently then the elementary kids, who I believe need more structured, linear instruction. Hence my plan to supplement on the side ... just in case it is needed! I don't want to get 5 years down the road and find out that EDM is not so great ... hedging my bets, I guess. But so far, EDM has been very engaging to my child and he loves thinking about math all the time when we are out and about. |
Anonymous
I have read too much research to leave my kid to EDM. There is too much out there that I can't ignore. |
Anonymous
please link some good articles, cos I've been increasingly concerned about this... |
Anonymous
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Start with nychold.com also, http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-03-13-math-panel_N.htm
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Anonymous
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thank you
interesting read... Is the chart on needed skills comparable to what other countries consider their standard? |
Anonymous
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Also look at "A Coherent Curriculum, A Case for Mathematics" By Schmidt.
It is a long very well written article, but I was impressed by the charts that looked at how US schools try to introduce too many topics to soon. The countries that introduce fewer topics, but teach them thoroughly, have better outcomes. I just want my child to focus on a few topics in K, 1 ,2, then ramp up later. |
Anonymous
Actually, the Schmidt article compares the "A+" countries expected skills to US. So you can see what others are doing. Those countries aren't graphing in K. In MC, Kindergarteners are introduced to graphing, too soon. |
Anonymous
| I guess I was not the only one thinking about this, cybershala.com is a new web site where kids can do Singapore Math along with their school curriculum. I just found it today, and plan to do the free trial sometime soon. |