Either let them use calculators or DON'T!!

[golfgal]

I get so frustrated with DS's math teacher sometimes. She lets them use calculators for pretty much everything (Algebra, 8th grade) but then marks them down if they don't "show their work". I just wish she wouldn't let them use the calculators at all so they wouldn't have the choice not to show their work!!! I know it is important to show their work but if they are doing the work on the calculator it is pretty easy to not write down the steps. We NEVER got to use calculators until we were in calculus classes.

 

[Nancy]

I think the teacher just wants to be sure they know the formula they should be using. It's real easy to punch numbers into a calculator, but you still need to know the basics so you know what sequence to punch those numbers. I personally think that calcualtors should only be used to check the work already done.

 

[figment52]

I have to side with the teacher. In business and life you will have to use the calculator so they need to master it; but they need to have the actual math foundation to know what to ask the calculator to compute for you.

Maybe 8th grade is too early to allow the calculator but I do see the value of knowing both.

 

[teacherforhi]

In North Carolina, the End of Grade tests for math in grades 3 through 7 have two parts: one with calculator and one without. We have to teach them both.

This year, the 8th graders will have two parts with the calculator. Don't exactly understand that part.

 

[mudnuri]

LOL in my college algebra class - requires since my highschool algebra was more than 10 years ago, they try to get us to use the calculator. My issue is, I cant figure the stupid calculator out! I did ask my professor- whats the point of having us take algebra- just teach a calculator class, and if I know how to input the problem, chances are I'll get the solution...LOL

DD9 can't use a calculator for anything in math....even algebra

Brandy

 

[mickeyfan2]

It is easy to show your work in algebra and then use the calulator for the final answer. I see this as doable.

 

[golfgal]

I agree that they should only use the calculators to check their work. Actually, I don't think they should be using them at all. We never had "calculator" classes, we read the directions that came with the calculator to figure out how to use them. I do understand the need for them, but then assign work to use the calculator and for every day assignement, make them figure it out on paper. I am just frustrated with the whole thing. Half the stuff he can do in his head so he just writes down the answer because you wouldn't want to do anything extra, you know. He won't get ANY credit for problems where he doesn't show his work, completly understandable, but she never assigns the problems that have answers in the back of the book so he isn't getting the answers there. I know the whole cheating thing, etc., etc. I am just tired of the same old arguement from him "but I know the answer why do I have to show my work?" 13 year old boys .

 

[diskids2]

I have to agree that it is ok to use calculators. In my daughter's regents for Math A in NY, the test requires the use of a scientific calculator and then in Math B 10th grade it requires a graphing calculator.

If she hadn't started using calculators, even earlier than 8th grade, it would have been a problem.

I also think it is doable to use a calculator and show your work. Teachers in my school give the kids partial credit for work. It is also easier to see where a child made a mistake if you see their "work - thought process".

It takes a little extra time, but well worth the effort, IMHO.

 

[malibuconlee]

Always show your work!! My high school Algebra teacher gave partial credit if he could see you were on the right track, but made a silly error in the middle.

 

[golfgal]

Always show your work!! My high school Algebra teacher gave partial credit if he could see you were on the right track, but made a silly error in the middle.

That's exactly what I keep telling him!!!!!!

I just got an email from his teacher, she said "there is no way he can get the answer without showing his work". Well, yes there is, do all the steps on your calculator and not write them down or even better, he will do all the steps on paper and ERASE them because it looks messy (this coming from the kid that wouldn't change his clothing, ever, unless I make him).

 

[diskids2]

LOL, I have a 15 year old and an 11 year old, so I've been there done that and am about to do it again!

Maybe get a guidance counselor involved to see if the two opposite ends....teacher and your son can come to some sort of agreement. Just a thought. I feel for you.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I was looking over my DS11's math test last night and he wrote 96 instead of 94. He said the calculator messed up!

Lori

 

[diskids2]

I was looking over my DS11's math test last night and he wrote 96 instead of 94. He said the calculator messed up!

Lori

That is soooooooooooooo funny.

 

[barkley]

my kid's math text books have actual pages dedicated to calculator use.

dd was doing homework one night and asked for the calculator- i took the "mom stance" and said "you are not using a calculator to do your math" (this was like 3rd grade stuff). she then pointed out the little calculator picture next to the problem on the page-sure enuf, some of the problems are set up to be done with calculators. but in her case the teacher does'nt require the work to be shown for those-she sez since they are interspersed in each of the lessons the intent is for learning the calculator process (the ones w/o calculator she does have to show the work on).

 

[daisyduck123]

1st grade teacher here...

Each student has a 12 chapter math textbook.
In every chapter there is a full page calculator lesson.

Sometimes we do it in class, sometimes we skip it, sometimes it goes home as an "optional activity".