Reply to 5th Grader accepted at Basis - advise on summer preparation

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]FWIW it's worth, the fact DC schools no longer value fluency or memorization of math facts can have ripple effects for years.  My DC routinely made computational errors in high-level math classes, or was slow in doing math problems, because of having to remember basic multiplication.  If I could go back, I would have made DC do more flashcards or math games to build fluency.[/quote]

While this would have been a valid point in the past, it no longer is. The CCS DCPS abides by are placing a much stronger emphasis on fluency and spending time on a unit until mastery is achieved. I see a tremendous difference on that front between my older child's experience in ES and my younger one, looking at what they do/did in grades 2, 3, and 4.

A more important question is what place project-based and experiential learning should have in middle school and up (assuming that basic fluency and numeracy is acquired which definitely is a big IF for kids CURRENTLY in middle school). While this is an afterthought at Basis and explicitly NOT what it's about it is becoming the rule at DCPS and most other MS charters. So it is something to look at and closely ponder. I'd say this consideration should also impact what you do in the summer. Should you really spend more time then on that memorization piece or shouldn't it then precisely be the time to explore, experiment, and apply?[/quote]

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