[Tanniker Smith]

One of the distinguishing traits in the newer Standards is a gimmick called spiraling. Children are moved quickly from topic to topic. Teachers introduce as much variety as possible. Just as a “thought experiment” I wondered, well, what would total simplicity look like?? I wrote a piece for hubpages called “Price’s Easy Arithmetic For First Graders.”

I had to use "spiraling" 8 ir 9 years ago, when teaching 7th and 8th graders. It was a mess. The topics moved about and if a kid was absent they couldn't find the work they missed because we weren't proceeding in a logical order.

My only successful class that year was the Honors class, which was taking 9th-year math over the 7th and 8th grades. I was told exactly which lesson plans to use and where to find them online. I modified them, of course, but they had a structure to the calendar of topics. (I taught elsewhere the following year.)

[irishtenor]

If a train is going southbound from Chicago to Miami at 47 mph, and a yellow taxi with 15 illegal aliens is crossing the border in Texas at 22.7 mph (average), when’s Obama having lunch?

[apillar]

Not exactly on topic, but I saw this story about math and thought I'd throw out this "challenge question" from my 6th graders algebra homework this evening. I have two college degrees and I can't figure it out.

A/B*C+D*E*F/G+H*I=100

Use 1-9 for A-I. Use each number only once, and use all nine to make the equation true.

[sailor4321]

Try this guy: http://www.khanacademy.org/

[dfwgator]

Teaching Math In 1950

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of
production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1960

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of
production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1970

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of
production is $80. Did he make a profit?

Teaching Math In 1980

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of
production is $80 and his profit is $20 Your assignment: Underline the
number 20.

Teaching Math In 1990

A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and
inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the
preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of
$20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class
participation after answering the question: How did the birds and
squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong
answers.)

Teaching Math In 2006

Un ranchero vende una carretera de maderapara $100. El cuesto de la
produccion era $80. Cuantos tortillas se puede comprar?

[wheresmyusa]

“Education: Promise and Paradox:

Two of the major issues in the international dialog on sustainability are population
and resource consumption. Increases in population and resource use are thought to jeopardize a sustainable future, and education is linked both to fertility rate and resource consumption. Educating females reduces fertility rates and therefore population growth. By reducing fertility rates and the threat of overpopulation a country also facilitates progress toward sustainability. The opposite is true for the relationship between education and resource use. Generally, more highly educated people, who have higher incomes, consume more resources than poorly educated people, who tend to have lower incomes. In this case, more education increases the threat to sustainability.”

http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001524/152453eo.pdf

[Elsiejay]

I cannot understand why it is so difficult to teach children to read. My three could read before they enrolled in first grade. I could have prevented this, of course, if I had kept books and alphabet related toys away from them. Failing that, their learning to read was inevitable, especially with their mother regularly reading books to them.

[BobP]

“At the George Washington Middle school where I taught eight-grade math in 1998, only a few of my math students were at grade level...

---------------------------------------

This country was subverted, pure and simple. It's a deliberate strategy that has been in progress for over 50 years. Once they brushed anti-communist Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater aside in '64, by a massive landslide [Due somewhat to a Democratic campaign advertisement known as 'Daisy'], the road was clear to conquer academia, the news media, the entertainment media, teachers and the unions. It isn't happenstance. It's no coincidence.

   Education

Our public schools are deeply entrenched with a socialist, progressive ideology.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BruceDeitrickPrice. If they can't understand math, and can't read, they can't question global warming, redistribution/confiscation schemes, annihilation of liberty, etc.

For a few years I thought the worst possible gimmick in education was Whole Word, basically a device to make sure kids don't learn to read. In the last few months, the clamor grew about Core Standards and National Standards, and I started to focus on arithmetic. More and more I’m struck by the parallel with Whole Word. The Education Establishment seems to specialize in coming up with techniques that are almost guaranteed not to work.

[Rabin]

BP

A similar situation exists in collage level math and physics books. These clunkers are updated every year to keep pace with the ever changing aspects of algebra, calculus, gravity and the like. They typically offer multiple pages of problems, supplementary problems and more problems, at the end of each chapter, but only the scantiest explanations and examples as to how to understand the mathmatical / physical connection so necessary for practical application. In most cases the only real hope is a really good Prof and a copy to the (restricted availability) teacher’s guide.
It’s all geared to revineu, which I guess is ok. But a lot of good young minds don’t realize it’s a stacked deck. They figure it’s their inability rather than defective texts. The kid can eithere drop or become lawyers… Bad system, getting more badder in the fullness of time.
R

[SkyDancer]

2=a number

1=a number

Therefore 2=1

[Califreak]

>One of the distinguishing traits in the newer Standards is a gimmick called spiraling.<

I didn’t realize there was actually a name for it. I have noticed, to my confusion, that year after year, they have a tendency to jump from one thing to another quicker than a honeybee lighting on flowers. I don’t believe they stay on one area long enough to really grasp it.

That’s not the way things were done back in the day.

[too much time]

I’ve had my same tagline for several years. Don’t EVEN get me started. Afterschooling - saxon, singapore, and key curriculum are my favorites. The spiraling, group-work, reflective, reform math is garbage. I graduated from HS in 87 - good math student - no one ever suggested I become a teacher. I am an engineer (actually, only a Mom, right now). Guess who teaches? Non-math people. Guess who writes curricula and runs school systems into the ground.

[too much time]

One more thing - here is my favorite video of all time - it explains the garbage that is “reform” math:

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

She is concise and to the point.

[Moonman62]

At the George Washington Middle school where I taught eight-grade math in 1998, only a few of my math students were at grade level. The rest were at a fourth-grade level, or lower. Most had not yet learned their multiplication tables and were still counting with their fingers.

Future members of Congress, no doubt.

[Hot Tabasco]

Most had not yet learned their multiplication tables and were still counting with their fingers.

When I was that age I was a whiz at multiplication tables.

Unfortunately I'm now at an age where I'm forced to count with my fingers again.........

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Unbelieveable but true - one of the "new" methods of teaching division is guessing...

"How many times do you THINK 2 will go into 20?" -

Uh, 2?

"Ok 2 plus 2 is four. Take away four from 20 and you have 16. How many times do you think 2 will go into 16?"

Seriously - they continue this way until they get to zero.

[JenB]

ANOTHER REASON TO HOMESCHOOL

This ping list is for the “other” articles of interest to homeschoolers about education and public school. This can occasionally be a fairly high volume list. Articles pinged to the Another Reason to Homeschool List will be given the keyword of ARTH. (If I remember. If I forget, please feel free to add it yourself) The main Homeschool Ping List handles the homeschool-specific articles. I hold both the Homeschool Ping List and the Another Reason to Homeschool Ping list. Please freepmail me to let me know if you would like to be added to or removed from either list, or both.

[cycjec]

Thanks muchly, again. On a slight tangent, serious greenies
should clamor for the revival of the slide rule. Only
mental power required.

[Southack]

I taught my 4 year old son to read by playing basketball.

P.I.G. spell PIG and you’ve lost.
D.O.G. spell DOG and you’ve lost.
H.O.R.S.E. spell HORSE and you’ve lost.

Etc.

I taught my daughter math by using money, work, and what she wants to buy.

“Education” is no substitute for hands-on parenting.