I can't see the math?!!

I am trying to pay attention. Really. But there comes a time when even the most patient (ok, you are right. I am not the most patient) person becomes a little challenged. I am embarrassed to say that I could not see my kid's homework last night. Perhaps because I thought the model being used for measurement was the drawing of a fat queen termite at the top of the worksheet, which as I may have mentioned in a previous post IS a recent vexing personal problem. Termites, and the bloodsu-oops operator of the pest service.

So when I began having apoplexy over the instructions for my son to measure the 5 mm termite at the BOTTOM of the worksheet, I kept insisting that the queen termite was 1) not at the bottom of the page and 2) she as WAAAY bigger than 5mm. Which brought on my usual string of grousing about the math not even giving correct instructions, etc etc. And began to get cranky when I couldn't figure out why my student was rummaging in his closet instead of doing homework.

"What are you doing in there!" I yelled. "Come out of there! You're supposed to be doing homework!" To which he replied, "Just a minute Mommy. I'm getting something for you."

"I mean it, right -what?" "You have something for me?"

He slowly backed out of his closet.

In his hand was a small magnifying glass. Holding it over the worksheet, he said, "Mommy, the termite is right THERE above the measuring stick. Can you see it now?"

Arrrgh. It was in the middle of the page- I swear it was not the bottom!! Happy Friday!

A little more back story (not that anyone asked)

Having kids has improved the taxonomy skills of the ole' grey matter. So, say, for instance when thoughts of unpleasant school meetings spring to mind, instead of being routed to the formaldehyde pickle jar labeled "important and interesting current events to keep up front", this thought is immediately routed to the pickle jar labeled "unidentifiable yucky stuff back of fridge forever".

I appreciate this memory upgrade most of the time- as it helps me stay focused on the REALLY important stuff- like, "what time is pick-up today?" and "can that dude from Western Pest be serious with that quote???" So, I started this blog as a gentle reminder that I did open my big trap about my feelings of malaise and that I did have a meeting with three really hard-working teachers and one caring principal. (honk twice if you want me to post my letter/agenda from the meeting).

But I wound up leaving feeling bad. It became crystal clear that this is the curriculum for the next seven (7) years. And that it will be used. And that it is my choice to figure it out. My bigger more "global" questions, like, "what long-term data supports this curriculum to adequately prepare students for college (or high school! or middle school!) in a global setting"

and "what criterion was used to choose this program over the other math programs approved by the state of California for use" (I believe EM was rejected the two previous times it was submitted to this state for approval) have been referred to the School District Education Specialist. I did decline her invitation to schedule a time for a meeting, but I did ask for written data. And so I wait.

let's try to link more math crunching

It is shocking to be a party of one having such a tee-rific time researching math, so, why not

share? http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2009/03/a_skirmish_in_the_math_wars_de.html

Sorry, but this is the only hotlink I could paste- It is an interesting showcase of the math algorithms being taught right now in Dixie School District!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1qee-bTZI

Salman Khan needs to be in charge of all math. forever.

Legomania rules supreme in my house- but the good news is that the ant trail is being obliterated by the Snape-driven-tower-of-StarWars-doom-mobile. The bad news is that my dishwasher is also being obliterated.

I linked to the Khan Academy at the bottom of this blog. This site is absolutely the best math teaching tool I have run across. I lovelovelove Sal. His easy and clear explanations and use of his "chalkboard" have made my supplemental math explanations possible!

duh. why talk about Everyday Math

Here goes:

My children's elementary school district just adopted a new math curriculum. The program is called Everyday Math, and it is here to stay for the next seven years. I am critical of Everyday Math. I became critical while trying to help my third-grader with "partial sums addition". I do not feel that there is a benefit or advantage to using this method (algorithm) over traditional addition. I am not happy that the "learning kit" my child received included a calculator. As the school year is unfolding, I am looking more closely at what is being taught, what is yet to come, and how I can supplement.

The black tent moves among us

Only because I wore my black hat, boots and Aussie rain trench to elementary school drop-off. Today is the inaugural blog of me, and I am toasting with a tepid over-steeped cup of black (blech) tea.

I started this blog as a place for me to try and make sense of math. Again blech! So the black tent that I am today welcomes you to my current world of Everyday Math. What's not to love about a third grade textbook that includes this awe-ispiring chart on page "SRBCA11": "California Data Bank"

English learners by language, 2004-2005

...The table below shows the primary languages spoken by the students learning English in California

Spanish 1,357,778 85.3%

Vietnamese 34,333 2.2%

(and so on)

Did I miss something? Why is this in my kid's textbook?

Oh, and the "partial sums" and "lattice" methods of arithmetic? Yeah- here's a great alternative to traditional math that we parents know- gosh, who needs the burden of doing math in one's head? I always have my shopping bags and calculator ready while I'm pushing the cart at Trader Joes! Or doing Macy's algebra with coupons and star rewards and early-bird discount hours????

I did have a meeting with our school principal and three 3rd grade teachers this week, though. Perhaps if I would have worn my black tent (giant Marin burqa?) I could have hid my outrage over Everyday Math a little better...

Here's a link (hope it works! remember I'm new at this) to Palo Alto's website that has much information concerning Everyday Math:

http://pamath2009.wordpress.com/experiences-of-other-districts-with-edm/