If the students already know the material, you aren't teaching. You are taking them through exercises to demonstrate that what they already know or follow instructions.

Did your K not know how to count to 10 or do simple addition when she started school last fall? Did she not know how to identify a cube, sphere, triangle, or other basic shapes?

MCPS does not teach math. MCPS conducts assessments to record what your child already knew and then takes credit for teaching it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has never taught math. Under the old system, they allowed kids who understood math to move ahead so they weren't bored to death. These kids were either taught at home or talented in math. Under 2.0, kids are no longer allowed to accelerate so they sit there bored.

I think this just it. Teachers don't teach. The "guide" the students to discover themselves. That's why we as a country suck at math.

Oh for heaven's sake. Perhaps you were talented in math and invented differential calculus on your own in fourth grade, in your spare time. As for me, I learned math in public school. Now I work in a quantitative field, and where did everybody I work with, from twenty-somethings to over-60s, learn math? Also in public school. "Teachers don't teach math" indeed.

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has never taught math. Under the old system, they allowed kids who understood math to move ahead so they weren't bored to death. These kids were either taught at home or talented in math. Under 2.0, kids are no longer allowed to accelerate so they sit there bored.

I think this just it. Teachers don't teach. The "guide" the students to discover themselves. That's why we as a country suck at math.

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has never taught math.

Please explain what you mean by "MCPS has never taught math". I am baffled because at my children's elementary schools, there is a certain period of time each day for each class, called "math", where the class does stuff, and by the end of each year, my children know how to do math things that they didn't know how to do at the beginning of the year. How did this happen, if MCPS does not teach, and has never taught, math?

MCPS has never taught math. Under the old system, they allowed kids who understood math to move ahead so they weren't bored to death. These kids were either taught at home or talented in math. Under 2.0, kids are no longer allowed to accelerate so they sit there bored.

Plus, I doubt what they are doing in third grade is a simple as that. Hopefully they are doing word problems and having time spans cross the hour, etc. My second grader had some challenge work with elapsed time word problems that were actually semi-challenging. e.g. Joe went to the store at a quarter before 2. He got home 30 minutes later. Sally came over 45 minutes after that and stayed for 50 minutes. What time did Sally leave?

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering what 3rd grader doesn't already know how to read an analogue clock or do elapsed time. Really?

Elapsed time is just reading a clock and doing addition or subtraction. My 1st graders know this from daily life. The TV is going off at 7:30 (announced at 10 after 7) gets "Mom, that's only 20 minutes". Are we there yet in the car is usually handled with we'll be there at 4, look at your watch. This is normal daily stuff that most kids do without thinking and its considered advanced enough here to be taught in the 3rd grade?

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yes, your first grader is brilliant!!! Duh, you once told your first grader the elapsed time would be 20 minutes, he memorized and remember, and spits the information back to you.

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering what 3rd grader doesn't already know how to read an analogue clock or do elapsed time. Really?

Yes, really. Many third-graders are not as advanced as your first-graders! Even in Montgomery County! And Singapore! It's true!

I'm wondering what 3rd grader doesn't already know how to read an analogue clock or do elapsed time. Really?

Elapsed time is just reading a clock and doing addition or subtraction. My 1st graders know this from daily life. The TV is going off at 7:30 (announced at 10 after 7) gets "Mom, that's only 20 minutes". Are we there yet in the car is usually handled with we'll be there at 4, look at your watch. This is normal daily stuff that most kids do without thinking and its considered advanced enough here to be taught in the 3rd grade?

Anonymous wrote:I'm PP at 13:45 and 10:22.

Here is a link to the current Singapore math curriculum.

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/sciences/files/maths-primary-2007.pdf

How does it compare to the the math curriculum for 2.0?

As far as I can tell, primary grade 1 in Singapore starts at age 6.

I read this briefly and as far as I can tell it looks quite similar to the common core standard.

But I will bet you a third grader in Singapore will be doing much harder homework and problems than the c2.0 students here. That is my point. I don't think speed or acceleration is the problem. It is the way Math is taught in this country. It is just plain weird.

Anonymous wrote:I learned how to read an analog clock in a public kindergarten class in a low ranked public school in rural Tennessee. Third grade? That is pathetic

Have you read the previous posts? Because what the third graders are doing is not learning how to read an analog clock. It's calculating elapsed time. Did you do that in kindergarten?

I learned how to read an analog clock in a public kindergarten class in a low ranked public school in rural Tennessee. Third grade? That is pathetic

Time will tell folks! Meanwhile sit back and passively enjoy the 2.0 experiment!

I'm PP at 13:45 and 10:22.

Here is a link to the current Singapore math curriculum.

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/sciences/files/maths-primary-2007.pdf

How does it compare to the the math curriculum for 2.0?

As far as I can tell, primary grade 1 in Singapore starts at age 6.

A vocational tracking system as they have in Germany is nothing to aspire toward. Do you really want to have to decide that your kid must be a tradesperson around 9th grade? It's my impression that England is similar. In the US you have more time to prepare, choose, decide, switch, etc. It all works out in the end. And in Korea and Japan, college is more about drinking than it is in the States. It's called early burnout. Get over yourselves. If you want you child learning more math, teach them at home or through Kumon or a tutor. You are sending your child to public school and not everybody is as fortunate as you/your child.