Quote:
Originally Posted by gomoho
Pammy - when I say basics I am saying addition in first grade, subtraction in second, times tables memorized (backwards and forwards) in third and division in fourth. A good sound basic understanding of math skills before you move on to algebra etc. I'm hearing this is not happening in schools today. Am I wrong?
|
Actually what you stated above has put us into the situation we are in now. Memorizing facts only without an understanding of what these algorithms represent is WHY students cannot transfer that knowledge into real life situations.
One of the reasons we are in this new movement of more rigorous Standards is because Ivy League college professors are saying that students from the American Education system are really good at reciting facts! However, they cannot think for themselves. Students from other countries exceed American students in Critical Thinking Skills!
It is very hard for some teachers who were taught the memorizing method along with algorithms for every math situation to teach for understanding. This is why I have said before, we are re-training and learning this ourselves! Then there are the really SMart people who can look at a complex Algebra problem and explain in detail how the formulas work and how they are applied to real life..... Our Engineers, etc.... My husband!!
Seriously.. This is why people can't count back change when needed. Give us time, this next generation will be able to do that and more!