Reply to Excellent summary about what is so wrong about the MCPS math curriculum

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

Well, what I'm noticing is my DS, too, has understanding, but he was never tripped up by this stuff, so I expect that.  However, his ability to execute a longer calculation without error is kinda craptastic.  It's the algorithmic fluency bit.  He understands multiplication, he does know the algorithm, but every time he was asked to use it was on a page of two word problems and if he made an error he would get partial credit for setting up the problem and his [i]understanding[/i].  Sometimes he would get a note: [i]you have a calculator![/i].  He is not at the stage where a calculator is justified.  And jumping straight to word problems may sound like sophistication, but he would be better served by a page of 30 multiplication problems (he'll thank me later I'm sure).  Just to be clear 31*12 is algorithmically equivalent to (3x+1)(x+2).  Anyone who can't do the first by hand with accuracy is no more ready to deal with the second expression than someone who truly doesn't believe in multiplication.  2.0 pays way to much lip service to the un-measurable concept of understanding but has no real appreciation of where any of this is leading.[/quote]

When I was in elementary school, I could do (and did do) pages and pages of multiplication problems accurately and quickly, but I couldn't have told you that 31*12 = 30*12 + 1*12, or that a good way to solve 31*12 in your head is 31*10 + 62. My kid can do these things. [/quote]

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