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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
I am quite exceptional, actually, but that was not my point. The point was, it is possible to introduce equations in the first grade. Thesee things in the test, whatever they are, are not equations (not at the formal level), so what you said is not true. I went to a top 20 is college and was shocked at the math level of otherwise excellent students. But keep doing whatever you are doing, I am sure this time it will work. Luckily I have the option of schooling my kids in Europe.[/quote]

Of course it's possible to introduce equations in the first grade. But is it useful? Which do you think a typical six-year-old will get more out of, the idea of writing a subtraction sentence, or the idea of writing an equation? I assure you that few six-year-olds even really understand what the equals sign means. (In fact, that's one of the first-grade standards in the Common Core:  "Understand the meaning of the equal sign, and determine if equations involving addition and subtraction are true or false. For example, which of the following equations are true and which are false? 6 = 6, 7 = 8 – 1, 5 + 2 = 2 + 5, 4 + 1 = 5 + 2")

As for school in Europe, I don't know. I do know, though, that subtraction sentences is how Singapore Math does it. Here are some typical problems in Singapore Math 1A:

Complete the addition sentences:  9+1=[blank], 9+8=[blank]

Complete the subtraction sentences: 10-6=[blank], 10-7=[blank]

There are 12 ducks. 4 are swimming. How many ducks are not swimming? [Picture of 4 ducks in pond. Picture of 8 ducks not in pond. Blanks for an addition sentence (or equation, if you want to call it an equation) in the form of number operator number = number.][/quote]

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