I have seen that too. What one 3rd grade teacher told me when I asked him why he didn’t teach basic math facts such as the addition, subtraction, multiplication & division tables was they were all objectionable because doing so required rote learning, and rote learning is taboo. He said that his approach was far better because it required students to “develop their own strategies” for solving problems. Nice theory taught in teacher's colleges. Problem is it doesn't work. Students need the foundation of math. If they are not given it, they are unlikely to progress to develop their own strategies.
You’re right, they definitely need the foundation first.
So many things are “objectionable” now which actually are just common sense.
The world declines daily. Good thing the Lord told us ahead of time how dark things would get (and that He would be our light).
It probably depends on the school district. My daughters have done plenty of add/sub/mult/div timed test sheets through there elementary career (the same types I remember from my days of elementary school).
My older daughter is already doing math in 6th grade that I did not do until I was in 7th to 8th grade. I do have an issue with their textbooks which are needlessly large with a bunch of “crap” in them. What on earth is the lattice method? Given the godawful billions of public money that is spent in the public school system, I do not see why simple black and white packets could not be created for minimal cost. The savings on textbooks would be enormous.
Nevadan, I think you are on to something. God forbid anyone should have to do a boring math problem!!! I was considering taking a pt job teaching Algebra. I asked the Principal if I could choose the book, thinking I would use Saxon, as I am currently most immersed in that one. He said, “Well, we used Saxon last year, but the kids complained that there were not enough graphics and illustrations.” I said, “I have never thought of a math class as entertainment!”
The other thing they are forgetting is that third graders (and up to age 12 or so) do NOT think conceptually. They are concrete. Rote memorization is perfect, and it is a great foundation for more advanced concepts.
Oh, the teachers’ classes!! Do not get me started.
re ‘develop their own strategies’ — I took a Math for Teachers class a while ago. The teacher, a Drama major!!! insisted that there were MANY ways to get the answers. It was terribly confusing. The PhD in Math guy was REALLY confused, and livid. I would come home and tell my scientist husband. He could not BELIEVE what they were teaching us. I had to drop for sanity’s sake.