Everyday Math

[Anonymous]

OP: I agree that the nychold.com site has the most academic information (mentioned by a previous poster). I actually started my research when I thought of homeschooling my dd. A home school parent forum was my first source of info.
(I have no real plans to homeschool, but their sites are interesting, as they discuss curricula in depth).
My reading has lead me to consider Singapore Math. I just wish that the schools would look at it. Can we parents do something? I am willing.

[Anonymous]

I really disagree with 11:31 (that curricula should be "fool proof, that is teachers with little training out to be able...") I do understand where she's coming from.

Teachers without training will never be as good as teachers with training. I don't think you mean to, but you are really disparaging our teachers. If anything, we should be holding them to a higher standard and demand greater mathematical proficiency. Instead, you suggest anyone with a pulse and a manual should be able to do it.

Writing a good curriculum is VERY DIFFICULT.

[Anonymous]

"I plan to just teach my child math with another curriculum. If the teacher wants to complain about her not getting her homework done, so be it. I know that she's learning if I teach her. "

Not only could this have a poor effect on their homework, but if the child learns a certain process at school and connot perform on tests because they don't know the process because their mom or dad told them not to listen to the teacher's complaints, it could also effect their grades. Modeling respect is a great way of teaching it.

Why not share your complaints with the teacher and work as a team to solve it, instead of dismissing the teacher's, most likely, required lessons.

[Anonymous]

I hear the frustration. I have a degree in Mathematics, and my husband has a PhD in hard science. It is overwhelming when my nephews ask for help with math and you look at that crazy text and try to make sense of the questions.

[Anonymous]

The fool proof comment is ligit. We can ask that teachers be highly qualified, but let's face it...this is what we have. Some can perform, but some with the best intentions, have trouble. There are easier curricula out there.

[Anonymous]

See: Texas Challenges City on Math; State Abandons Fuzzy Curriculum Nov 20, 2007 NY Sun E. Green.
Just one of many.
(nychold posting)

[Anonymous]

OP: Agree that two separate math instructors is wrong. As I mentioned the thought of homeschooling passed through my mind, but it makes no sense for us. But my original concern is about this EDM that is pervasive. What can the average parent do?
Also, a pp mentioned Investigations curriculum. How is that?

[Anonymous]

To 21:13: If "this is what we have," that's all the more reason to demand good quality training of our teachers to use whatever curriculum they are handed.

It isn't easy to teach kids math - if it were, there'd be a thousand good curricula available. EDM may be a disaster, but it is also a response to the fact that rote learning doesn't work for many, either.

[Anonymous]

"Agree that two separate math instructors is wrong. As I mentioned the thought of homeschooling passed through my mind, but it makes no sense for us"

Wait a minute, you should be able to teach your children different approaches to understanding math, especially if the school approach doesn't yield good results. I'm not suggesting not doing the homework or ignoring the teacher but learning to grasp the concepts from different perspectives. You may end with a B student in public school math and an MIT math PHd later on.

[Anonymous]

Re: question about Investigations

I work with alot of math folks who do curriculum development and professional development. They generally like the Investigations curriculum...it's not a curriculum that teachers who are not comfortable with mathematics concepts can teach well, though, so it's not so widely used. And yes, Singapore's approach to mathematics is thought of as cutting edge. They teach very few math concepts but they teach them in depth to students. Their curriculum for each year is a very thin book. Very different from what we do in the States in general.

[Anonymous]

I think Investigations (aka TERC) suffers some of the same criticisms as Everyday Math. See: http://www.nychold.com/terc.html

[Anonymous]

OP: I don't see these highly trained teachers on the horizon with the budgets that most systems have. EDM is flawed even with the best teachers. I would love to see a curriculum switch. I do take enough of an interest in this to pursue a change.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if it is possible to opt out of Math in the public schools and home school for only that couse? I am th eposting that suggested teaching my child on my own. I have heard that some school systems allow homeschooled children to take some of their classes at their ps. But can the reverse be done, i.e. take your child out of ps for only one class?

[Anonymous]

PP here: I really doubt you can take your kid out like that - for starters, they don't teach math at the same time every day.

I think a better approach would be to buy the schools curriculum, and read the teacher material yourself. Then, you can supplement what your kid doesn't get in a way that is consistent with your child's class experience. Then YOU will know the point of these crazy homework assignments.

Someone asked about Investigations. That's what they use in Arlington. Interestingly (from what I've heard), when the county last evaluated math curricula, the teachers chose "EDM", but were overruled by the county. EDM is very pretty. Overall, we are fairly pleased with Investigations. It isn't as far out there as EDM. I think it did a great job with teaching the kids about ten and groups of ten. I think the curriculum, or maybe just the teacher, is doing a lousy job with estimation.

I think we must remember that the old curricula didn't work for many of our children - some of whom would have done a whole lot better with the new ones we are discussing.

I'm intrigued by how opposed the schools are to memorization in mathematics, when they seem fine with it when it comes to spelling.

[Anonymous]

It seems as if the school administrators are dragging their feet on this issue that has been going on for years. You would think that since No Child Left Behind that the administrators would be looking for a quick fix with elementary math. I did call a private school in Potomac that claims to have curriculum specialists on staff, they are using EDM!
The word is that EDM is too broad, covering too many issues, with little depth. Thus the child does not get the basics. Hence, Johnny Can't Count...but he can sure do a lot of homework with his parents.