Frustrated with Quality of Math at Beauvoir?

[Anonymous]

Wondering if others feel the same? We have had two children at the school for over 8 years and remain frustrated about the quality and level of math teaching at the school. Feel it has been a hindrance when one of our children moved on to another Cathedral school and are worried about our second.

Anyone else frustrated with math at Beauvoir? If so what can we do about it?

[Anonymous]

OP-

I do not have a child at Beauvoir but I can tell you that this is a concern across this area and has been discussed before. The emphasis tends be more on reading and writing vs mathematics.

[Anonymous]

What didn't you like about the math curriculum?

[Anonymous]

It is based on the Chicago School theory of math and does not put any emphasis on basic facts. But most of all, there is just not enough time spent on math and not as much emphasis placed on math as there is on reading.

Ths Chicago School learing style conflict very markedly with the approach to math that they have starting in C form at St. Albans to the point that one of the teacher there told us in a parent teacher conference that "all the boys from Beuvoir come to STA well behind in math." Not exactly what I had expected.

[Anonymous]

if there are other schools that prepare kids better in math - what curriculum do they use? ie, what schools do the boys come from who are not behind when they start STA? other privates? public?

[Anonymous]

The British School supposedly has a good math curriculum.

[Anonymous]

St. Patrick's did away with the Everyday Math program last year. Felt it was not preparing their students well in math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if others feel the same? We have had two children at the school for over 8 years and remain frustrated about the quality and level of math teaching at the school. Feel it has been a hindrance when one of our children moved on to another Cathedral school and are worried about our second.

Anyone else frustrated with math at Beauvoir? If so what can we do about it?

If you felt this way after DC one why did you reapply for DC 2?? I too am a Beauvoir parent (K) and initially felt a bit frustrated with the Math Curriculum that is until I noticed that DS was making significant connections in mathematics. His mathematical understanding is being developed and I appreciate that. For example we were counting and he expressed that 15 is equal to three 5's which is 5+5+5. I did not believe what I heard so I asked another . . . What about 25? He confidently stated five 5's which is 5+5+5+5+5. So no they may not focus on basic facts but if students have a concrete grasp of mathematically understanding basic facts are simple to sovle.

On another note it is my understanding that at a recent Parent Coffee this issue was discussed in detail. Try contacting the school for details from the Parent Coffee conversation or talk with the Division Heads or Paula.

[Anonymous]

I am a current Beauvoir parent and I agree with 15:45. I have two kids there, one in 3rd and one in K. My third grader's mathematical comprehension astounds me. However, she has not "memorized" all of her multiplication tables (facts). This does not concern me or my husband who is a middle school algebra teacher in MC. He is of the philosophy that memorization of math facts is the lowest form of learning. She will know them by heart one day. What impresses us more is that she can dissect a math problem and can think her way through almost any elementary math problem. I credit Everyday/Chicago math for that. Think about it, these kids will eventually get their addition and multiplication facts. Almost anyone can memorize them. I guess I could drill her and make sure that she knows them but I would rather her understanding be concrete than spend time drilling math facts into her memory. Just my humble opinion.

[Anonymous]

My son doesn't go to Beauvoir but you can quiz your child on their math facts at home. Times tables can be memorized w/ flashcards at home. I went to Catholic school and while it did have its good points, lots of time was waste w/ memorization of facts that could've been done at home (or in the car, etc). I know I didn't understand a great deal of math until yrs after I "learned" it at school.

[Anonymous]

I think the math programs at all the private schools pretty much stink. Any local Montessori provides a stronger math program.... We've been very frustrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a current Beauvoir parent and I agree with 15:45. I have two kids there, one in 3rd and one in K. My third grader's mathematical comprehension astounds me. However, she has not "memorized" all of her multiplication tables (facts). This does not concern me or my husband who is a middle school algebra teacher in MC. He is of the philosophy that memorization of math facts is the lowest form of learning. She will know them by heart one day. What impresses us more is that she can dissect a math problem and can think her way through almost any elementary math problem. I credit Everyday/Chicago math for that. Think about it, these kids will eventually get their addition and multiplication facts. Almost anyone can memorize them. I guess I could drill her and make sure that she knows them but I would rather her understanding be concrete than spend time drilling math facts into her memory. Just my humble opinion.

I am a mathematician, and I am curious about your husbands statement. Ask him if he thinks that those who memorize facts, do not also understand. I would love to know what is so wrong with memorization?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the math programs at all the private schools pretty much stink. Any local Montessori provides a stronger math program.... We've been very frustrated.

I agree that Montessori has the best programs in the area, but there are some good non-Montessori ones, just not around here.

[Anonymous]

How do Montessori schools teach math?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do Montessori schools teach math?

TONS of repetition, TONS of hands on with manipulatives. Basics covered very well.