Subject: MathAgain

Posted by Sharon Villines on 12/8/2010
In Reply To:MathAgain Posted by Alex Leus on 12/8/2010

Message:

> In addition, after we derived the formula needed, she got upset with me because her teacher would not accept it that way. Wow!

I had a similar experience at a much lower level yesterday. An 8-year-old granddaughter trying to do simple division for the first time. She goes to a charter school that does not have textbooks. It seems to be some sort of new educational theory. Everything is worksheets.

This is the first time homework in division has been assigned and there was nothing on the worksheet about how the teacher had explained this. Zero. Gretchen had not a clue what to do. I had not a clue how I was supposed to explain it. I needed vocabulary.

I got out the Cuisinaire rods so she could understand visually what was going on, or supposed to be going on and we got through 200 (!) problems. She understood the concept and the second hundred problems were easier than the first but I was still left with anxiety over what will happen when and if Gretchen is asked to explain division to her teacher.

I found myself yearning for the math textbooks my children used to bring home that I had to study to help them with their homework. The texts seemed so obtuse and were in "new math," a completely new vocabulary for me, but at least I was allowed to see it.

Can you imagine how parents feel who do not have any education and are not comfortable revealing to a teacher that they don't know how to do this stuff? I at least have the conviction of a million years of college and teaching so I know the problem is not my ignorance (or at least not all of it!).

Sharon

Follow Ups:

MathAgain - Pedro D. Almaguer Prado 12/8/2010