Reply to math curriculum 2.0 -- explaining math strategies

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]Do they accept "I know that 8+2=10 because I have memorized my math facts[/quote]

Do you still draw circles whenever you need add 2 to 8 ? Or do you just know the answer because at some point you have memorized the answer?

Its useful to teach preschoolers or kindergartners the concept of quantity to understand a numerical symbol. Its also useful to teach then how to visually move these quantities back and forth for addition and subtraction. However, once they have this they will end up memorizing the math facts anyway.

There is little value in making a child who understands the concept of addition and subtraction and has already memorized the math facts keep drawing darn circles everywhere. This is boring and repetitive and not deeper. It also does nothing to strengthen the understanding of using that "strategy". The kid is smarter than you and knows its stupid but they have to do it. They are simply executing an assignment in instruction following. [/quote]

IMO, MCPS is missing the "fluency" aspect that Common Core demands.  You are correct that eventually one is supposed to "know" or "memorize" certain steps.  Every time we do long division, we don't justify via place value concepts each move; we just use the algorithm without thinking about why it works.

As a parent, I am extremely concerned that MCPS is focusing on this "deeper understanding" in a way that denies the development of fluency. It would be OK if they emphasized both.  That this is a problem will become more apparent when kids move on to higher math and take the SATs, etc.  They will simply not be able to do the calculations quickly and easily, they will increasingly dislike math and have to spend much more time than is necessary to study/achieve in the upper level subjects.    [/quote]

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