Originally Posted by bearisgray
Can't go knocking "all" the youngsters -
Many of them are taking Advanced Placement classes and are way ahead of the game.
"Some" are very math/arithmetic deficient. So are some "adults"
Maybe some of the responsibility for what kids are taught should be placed on the school boards and who controls the school boards?
Last year, after 12 years as a media specialist in my district, I went back into the classroom to teach 4th grade math and science after the district did away with school librarians. I was stunned that the district's math program (adopted by our curriculum dept. and school board) did not advocate memorization of basic math facts and kids were encouraged to count on fingers and/or use calculators. I know not every child can memorize math facts easily, but all can memorize some! I encourage it, but am told I am not teaching the curriculum the way it is written. I really worry about what will happen when these kids are adults. When I give a quiz on basic facts, you can almost feel a breeze in the classroom from so many kids counting on their fingers. But by the time I get them in 4th grade, their habits are set. They can't add 6 plus 6 yet and I have to teach them multiplication, division, and long division!