[QUOTE=Guest]Here's an example of the way math is being taught in this country today.

6+5+?

Answer 11

Wrong, you have to follow a formula that explains how you get to the answer.

The formula is subtract one from the six and make it five. Add the five to the five and get ten. The add the one back in.

It's called doubling. You always have to subtract the lower number from the higher then double the lower number and add the difference back in.

We once were #1 in the world when kids were learning the multiplication tables. We've added more and more of this kind of math and now we are #25.

COMMENT

Yes, we do agree with your assessment. Here is a shocker, the Education system should not allow a PhD to have a job or any input into elementary or secondary education.
The example as you gave above is excellent and it illustrates two items:
1.Some math items are a nightmare of theory and rote memory. They turn off the child as they do not present a reasonable and useful math method they can remember or duplicate with models.
2. Remember the "new math" in the 1960 s? That was an abomination of some guys PhD dissertation. A real mess that was NOT useful but it was incorporated in math classes in California.
You can email us if you like, we are open to discussion and we are retired teachers.
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