3rd Grade Math

[kinntj]

To get the students ready for more difficult equations, you need to start teaching them whatever you do to one side of an equation, you must do to the other side, this is how you keep the equation equal. That is why they have to subtract 25 from both sides.

This is how I would teach it also. It'll get them ready for algebra that much sooner. My DD's are in luck because I love algebra and DH is a Chemical engineer, so we have math and science fairly covered. English is o.k. for me. Writing on these message boards have messed up my grammer and puncuation badly.

 

[mumom95]

To all of those who don't like Everyday Math (my kids also use that).

I used to be a high school math teacher. And I don't love the Everyday Math, but I do feel it is trying to do a better job at getting the kids to actually understand how numbers work and to understand the concepts. I think you may see that because of this the kids will do better when they get to higher levels of math because they will have a better understanding of numbers.

My big complaint about it is that I think it goes too far to one side. There is some math that you just have to memorize, and Everyday Math wants to turn every little thing into some complicated word problem.

 

[NCDisneyMom]

To all of those who don't like Everyday Math (my kids also use that).

I used to be a high school math teacher. And I don't love the Everyday Math, but I do feel it is trying to do a better job at getting the kids to actually understand how numbers work and to understand the concepts. I think you may see that because of this the kids will do better when they get to higher levels of math because they will have a better understanding of numbers.

My big complaint about it is that I think it goes too far to one side. There is some math that you just have to memorize, and Everyday Math wants to turn every little thing into some complicated word problem.

I don't like the Everyday Math (which is what ds uses) because it's not the way *I* learned it. And when he brings homework home with some direction of how they are supposed to solve it, I'm lost! So if he doesn't get it, and I have no idea what they are talking about, then we both sit there with confused looks on our faces! They need to send a "parent's book" home at the beginning of the year. I will definitely check out that website a previous poster listed.

At this point, I do understand the logistics of how to solve the simple algebra problem, it's the actual math part of it that holds me up. I can do it, it just takes me a few minutes. And, I can't say to ds "Hold on, honey, let me go get my calculator to check that answer".

 

[Nette]

I am right there with you! Math is not one of my strong areas either. Plus they use Everyday Math here, which I can't stand along with lots of other parents.

The other day I couldn't help my DS because I had no clue of how it was to be done. I am so ready for 3rd. grade to be over with.

I'll start by saying that my DD is only in 1st grade, but this is the first year for Everyday Math, and I love love love it! They approach math the same way I have ever since I was her age. (I regroup numbers in equations, and use mental pictures, etc)

I'm actually pretty good at math (minored in math in college - and got As in every class) so maybe that's the difference. But DD seems to have a lot of the same tendencies in thinking about math as I do (she would understand last year when I explained it "my" way as opposed to the teacher's way).

I like the way they have "practice" at the bottom of every worksheet that covers something from a previous chapter, so they stay fresh on it. I also feel like they are covering concepts that are well beyond what they would be covering in other math programs.

I guess I'm just a big fan of making learning a part of everyday life, and I feel like everyday math does that. We can squeeze in math questions here and there when we're out and about. Like we can ask a money question when we're paying for something, or ask DD to check her watch and tell us what time it is. Maybe I'm just weird.

 

[Nette]

I don't like the Everyday Math (which is what ds uses) because it's not the way *I* learned it. And when he brings homework home with some direction of how they are supposed to solve it, I'm lost! So if he doesn't get it, and I have no idea what they are talking about, then we both sit there with confused looks on our faces! They need to send a "parent's book" home at the beginning of the year. I will definitely check out that website a previous poster listed.

At this point, I do understand the logistics of how to solve the simple algebra problem, it's the actual math part of it that holds me up. I can do it, it just takes me a few minutes. And, I can't say to ds "Hold on, honey, let me go get my calculator to check that answer".

Whoa, really? We get a copy of the beginning of the chapter (which is basically a letter to parents about the content and approach of the chapter) every time they start a new unit. Maybe ask your teacher if she could do that? I can totally understand how that would be frustrating.

 

[Sleepy]

When I started teaching my son elementary algebra, this is how I explained it...

25 + n= 45

n has a value of 1, but you just don't put the 1 in front of it. So, as long as the variable, n, just has a value of 1, only focus on the number on that side of the equation. In this case, it is 25.

You need to isolate the n on the left side of the equation. So, you need to bring the 25 to the other side of the equation to where 45 is. By bringing a number over the equals sign, you are changing the negative/positive value of that number. In this case, 25 is positive, so when you bring it over the equals sign, you are making it a negative 25.

Now your equation should look like this

n = 45 - 25

All you have to do is subtract 25 from 45 to get 20. The next step will look like this

n = 20

Now, if your original equation looked like

n - 25 = 45

You would bring the -25 to the other side of the equation and this would make it positive 25.

n = 45 + 25

Add 45 and 25 and you get 70

n = 70

Hope this helps.

 

[GJM]

We get nothing from our school for the Everyday Math. There have been some problems that I don't know what they are looking for and my DS doesn't know how to do it.

I just found out that the 3rd. graders need to know their multipication tables, if not they may not get promoted. But they are not teaching it yet. I feel that multipication is memorization. That is how I learned it, with taking timed tests. He did bring home a problem in regards to multipication with all these little dots - I have no clue what he was suppose to do, so we did the best we could.

I am trying to teach him the multipication tables, but he gets so frustrated with me!

 

[mumom95]

We get nothing from our school for the Everyday Math. There have been some problems that I don't know what they are looking for and my DS doesn't know how to do it.

I just found out that the 3rd. graders need to know their multipication tables, if not they may not get promoted. But they are not teaching it yet. I feel that multipication is memorization. That is how I learned it, with taking timed tests. He did bring home a problem in regards to multipication with all these little dots - I have no clue what he was suppose to do, so we did the best we could.

I am trying to teach him the multipication tables, but he gets so frustrated with me!

What they are trying to do with the dots is teach them what multiplication is. Multiplication is basically adding groups of equal things. And sometimes the best way to get that concept across is visually.

2 times 3 = make 2 groups of 3 dots each and add to get the answer

6 times 5 = make 6 groups of 5 dots each and add to get the answer

They are really just trying to teach kids what multiplication is, rather than just making them memorize the answer.

This is where I have a problem with it though. I agree kids need to understand the concept of multiplication, because the more concepts they understand, the better understanding of numbers they have. But, there are somethings in math that need to be memorized, and multiplication is one of them. I think they should teach the concept, but they also need to do those time multiplication tests we all took when we were younger. Some teachers do this (our school has Fast Math on the computer, and that seems to help), but I'm not so sure the actual Everyday Math program really has that as part of it (I'm by no means an expert on Everyday Math, I just know what my 2nd and 3rd grader bring home)