MSU Math Specialist Teaches Math for ALL.

[smoore69]

Why is it we all talk about making math fun. It's not fun, it's work. School is work. A little discipline and work go a long ways.

[Ben1220]

It is fun actually. I have no idea about this new method being spoken about here, all I know is that maths can be very plesurable. I'm not quite sure why, It might be the power it gives you, to explain things, represent things, understand things better. I remember the first time I was taught calculus back in my second last year of high school. The way it can be used to solve simple optimisation problems for example, although now seems mundane, seemed so elegant and beautiful at the time.

[biukucanoe]

systemic initiative means outcome based education and fuzzy math. Search for my my "connected math fraction" reviews. Balanced approach means you use a textbook that doesn't teach how to do math.

[nowthatshockey]

This woman came to the BOE meeting to promote herself and her ways - she has a vested interest in the district using CMP

[KingsTramp]

Interesting reaction to a reasonable, clear, presentation, Cato: childish mockery. Speaks volumes about you and other reactionaries: thanks for the transparent look into an empty, hateful mind!

[CatoQuip]

As soon as you show me actual improvement of students using these absolutely destructive learning programs, I can do nothing but mock it, because it's a joke and everyone knows it.

Our country has fallen off the map in terms of mathematics and science achievement as a result of this "reform" fluff.

[KingsTramp]

Well, try the Dexter Public Schools, right next to Ann Arbor, MI. They've long used TERC Investigations with no apparent parental uprisings or falling skies. My son is now in 7th grade there, scores high not only grade-wise and on state tests, but on nationally-standardized tests as well. But it's probably something special in the water.

[CatoQuip]

I guarantee you he would score very poorly against many children in third world countries.

You don't seem to understand the problem with the state-standardized tests (I'm unaware of any national standard-based tests). The problem is that the same people creating and administering the tests are the same educators that are teaching your child.

A bit of a conflict of interest, and reason why parents like you are easily fooled by the grade cards created for you by those same people.

[KingsTramp]

I'm not "fooled," Cato. The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is accepted even by Mathematically Correct, et. al, as valid. The manure you're peddling won't sell to me: I've got an MS in math ed from U of Michigan and I know the math. People in Ann Arbor, where EM and CMP are the K-8 program, aren't fooled, either. Nice try, but no cigar.

[CatoQuip]

Again, then why are American children coming in 30th and lower globally. I'm not "selling" you anything. There is the actual fact that reform math absolutely coincides with the loss of our global competitiveness in math. There are third world countries that are now easily taking our white-collar tech and science jobs because our students can't compete.

And it is reformists like you who have brought us to this point. You should be ashamed of what you've wrought.

[biukucanoe]

Americans panic over Asian superiority in math basics, but Americans already have it all over Asia in creativity. So they respond by stopping teaching math basics to Americans?? Don't worry - Asians are starting to be attracted to this fuzzy math nonsense too. What the heck is "math power"??? Strength of a squished triangle? You can be sure they can't divide 102.5 by 0.2 or make change from a dollar. Why does any elementary student need to squish a pipe cleaner?

[CatoQuip]

I don't know if I would define SSI as a "Statewide Systemic Initiative", sounds more like a "Statewide Systemic Infection".

I would love to see the children in this "educator's" classes tested against anyone in a traditional mathematics setting. Maybe they could make the test easier by asking whether the student can squish a pipe-cleaner triangle.