Invasion of the Math Snatchers

The Independence Institute ^ | Barry Fagin

[hsmomx3]

I vote for Saxon math!!

[Carry_Okie]

I vote for Saxon math!!

Saxon is great for practicing computation, but lousy for teaching application or theory.

[.cnI redruM]

(sarcasm/)No worries, the computers just do all of that for us. (/sarcasm)

[Hodar]

That ask kids what "color" they think math is

Easy one. At the grade school and high school (and Freshman/Soph college levels) math is Black and white; math is either correct, or it is wrong. There is no in between. However, when you start Relativistic physics, quantum physics, number theory and fuzzy logic; math quickly changes to puke green.

[kingu]

I like the program they have at my daughter's school. The goal of the program is to have every student ready for middle school algebra by the time they leave 5th grade. Every day, students turn in their answer sheets on a scanner sheet, the computer plops out a sheet telling them their 'score' and explanations of where they went wrong with their answers.

The self advancing program tracks what 'difficult' spots the students are encountering and recommends classroom instruction on that subject, while at the same time continually challenging students. One student is doing nicely on a series on 9th grade geometry, and the program discovered a huge problem with the lower grades in readying students for math.

Two computers equipped with scan trons and laser printers to print out practice sheets, tests, etc have been credited with raising the entire schools' achievement test results.

[Fudd]

One of the good things my parents did was not let me use calculators until high school. It led to the situation where I was tutoring an engineering undergrad in mechanics. We had worked out the algebra to solve a problem, and the last step was to plug-and-chug the numbers. The equation was not trivial (multiplication, division, a square root or two), but as the student started putting numbers in his calculator, I looked at it and told him the answer was about 75. He gave me a "we'll see" look, and found the answer to be 72.4. He just could not believe I could do all that math in my head.

[Dead Dog]

Yah, but it's a pretty bitchin' shade of green!

[headsonpikes]

Numeracy and literacy merely reinforce the patriarchal paradigm.

Progressive educators know what they are doing!

[goodnesswins]

NOW, that's probably the BEST use of "computers in school." Forget the "computer for every student."

[prion]

"Math is hard, let's go shopping!"

To be fair, those were two separate things Barbie said. They got paired in the press. I don't recall GI Joe ever saying, "let's knuckle down and do our algebra homework, boys!" or "what's seven times eight, maggot?"

[George W. Bush]

I agree with Barbie.

[GLSchnJR]

It takes me a minute to type went to public schools.

[Sloth]

Fortunately, what American students lack in fundamentals they make up in initiative and creativity. It's a constant struggle to get Russian students to 'think outside the box," while my American classes are always abuzz with interesting ideas.

True -- Americans innovate, then the Japanese (or whoever) come along and perfect whatever the Americans jury-rigged.

[kingu]

Welcome to Free Republic! Yeah, went to public schools myself and am quite lucky that I taught myself to type.

[PMCarey]

I vote for Saxon math!!

Saxon is not that good especially in the upper grades in which it's downright awful. On the other hand, I thoroughly recommend Singapore Math.

[dawn53]

My 15 year old used Saxon and he completed College Algebra last semester with an A, and is starting his College Trig class this semester.

Saxon seemed to teach him enough application and theory to pass the College Placement to get into College Alg at age 14.

[justshutupandtakeit]

You're really a gag writer for Leno, right? Or just naturally wicked?

[FourPeas]

There is a big difference between a child who knows *why*

*Why* is the key. I excelled in math in grade school, then barely passed in 7th grade. The teacher had been teaching mathematics forever, but made no effort to explain or show *why*. I changed schools in 8th grade, went to the head of the class (and I was a year advanced) and never looked back. I'd again found teachers who understood what if their students understand the *why*. they can then figure out the *what* on their own.

[Pardon Me]

The program you are referring to is called Accelerated Math. I am a math teacher and we use this program in our Middle School. We have only used it for 2 years but have had excellent results in standardized testing. The program can can pinpoint a student's problem area and assign practice and drill in the needed areas. Each assignment is unique and cheating is a thing of the past.

[headsonpikes]

The latter. ;^)