K-5th grade Math choices
1. Math Expressions (we think is the better program): www.eduplace.com/math/mthexp and
Bellevue School District has adopted Math Expressions so if you scroll down their site, they have a video http://www.bsd405.org/
· Meets high standards of what grade topics are covered and depth of coverage
· One topic at a time till mastery
· Good balance between conceptual understanding (reform math) and computational practice (more traditional math)
· Clear homework on current topic of study
· Homework a child can do independently because it is work similar to what was done in class
· Good balance of different types of problems (word problems, application, computational)
· Good balance of different teaching/learning styles (hands on, group work, individual work,)
· Teacher instructs and shows the way to do it
· Contains actual normal efficient algorithms like long division (normal math you assume schools teach but some programs don’t)
· Recently tested and adopted by Bellevue School District with student, parent and teacher positive feedback
2. Bridges in Mathematics: http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/
· Too much like TERC Investigations which is the current “reform math” curriculum in many district schools (including Westgate)
· Discovery based learning (students have to figure it out themselves and the teacher never teaches the best way)
· Too many topics all at the same time
· Very little computational practice so students can actually learn to work with numbers comfortably, accurately and efficiently
· Very little traditional algorithms like long division or vertical addition
· Too many investigations, manipulatives, games, acitivities, word problems, drawing pictures, wasting time understanding very simple math and not progressing to harder math
· Very few numbers, lots of words
· Very confusing for parents because of the weird way their kids have to do the problems
· Lower math level content
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3 comments:
From what I have heard so far, the committee making the decision about K-5th grade math curriculum will meet again "later in the week" to make their final decision. So, there is STILL TIME to send an email making your opinion known. Last we heard from the assistant superintendent, parent opinion had been 100% for Math Expressions. If we continue to make our opinion known, it will be harder for them to ignore it.
Unfortunately, parents are not represented on the committee that will be picking the curriculum. Half of the teachers and principals who are on the committee are really invested in the "reform/fuzzy math" that is the philosophy in the Bridges curriculum so the vote is split.
About Teachers and Math...
A parent in the school district told me this morning that she spoke to her child's teacher. The teacher preferred Bridges. She felt it was easier to teach.
One of the reasons why I hesitated to really speak out about the curriculum in our schools is that I don't want to sound like I am criticizing teachers because my kids have had really good teachers. I have been really pleased with their teachers and their school.
I just disagree with the education establishment in this state regarding the best philosophy of math education.
If a teacher is used to giving kids "activities" and "games" all the time, it might be harder for her to teach real math.....she would have to switch from student directed learning to teacher directed and be more actively involved in the process. Part of the problem with reform math is they give the students an activity and have them get into groups to "figure it out themselves." I feel that is a legitimate teaching strategy but should not be the ONLY teaching strategy.
I have found that in my school they really so heavily on this strategy that far less learning is actually happening. My 2nd grade son's homework for the past two years has been USELESS math games that are too easy and cover all topics under the sun with no focus.
I guess I can see why the teachers are divided. I just know that the current system is failing our kids from the beginning making it harder to build higher math on a weak foundation.
Parents see their kids go through the whole K-12th process. Teachers only see the year they teach. I think it is hard for teachers to know that their individual pieces are not adding up to a complete math education.'
Math Expressions is not just a bunch of worksheets. It is set up as a balanced program with learning activities and group work, deep thinking word problems, as well as individual computational practice in worksheets.
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