I need to buy a special calculator for my 4th grader?

[Jaimee]

My DS started 4th grade this week. He came home with a letter today asking for money to purchase a TI-15 calculator. Apparently the school district buys them in bulk, but they are required for 4th and 5th graders for algebra and geometry. They're $25 which isn't a lot compared to the calculators kids need in upper grades, but he's 9 years old! Should they be drilling the basics into them at this age? DS is very good at math, but I think he'd benefit more from another year or two of old fashioned pencil and paper. Is this the norm in other schools? BTW this is a regular old public school, not a gifted program either (we don't have those until middle school in our district..)


Jaimee

 

[AKL_Megs]

I do remember doing very basic algebra and simple geometry at that age... actually, I might have even been in the third grade when we started basic algebra... I vividly remember having a bloody nose all over my assignment once in the third grade, but that's another story...

It did me no harm. Prepared me for middle school and eventually high school. The whole $25... just a small amount compared to all you will pay in the future for stupid school requirments. Nothing you can do!

Good luck!!!

 

[Tiffer]

I just had to buy my 13 yr old a TI-30X IIS.

 

[Jaimee]

Sorry, just to clarify..I don't mean he shouldn't be doing basic algebra and geometry. I just don't get why he needs a calculator to do it at this age. I remember doing it on paper and pencil way back when I was his age.

I know it's only going to get worse. My friend at work brought in her son's new TI something or other for highschool. It has a USB port so the teacher can download programs for the students. It's going to be soooo over my head by the time he's in 7th grade.

 

[Kath2003]

I'd ask whether the calculator will be suitable for up to the end of high school. I bought a $25 calculator when I was in 6th grade but it lasted me all the way through into college math - I still have it at 22. If so, it's clearly a good investment!

 

[AKL_Megs]

Sorry, just to clarify..I don't mean he shouldn't be doing basic algebra and geometry. I just don't get why he needs a calculator to do it at this age. I remember doing it on paper and pencil way back when I was his age.

You know what, afterwards I was thinking the same thing! I was never allowed the luxury of a calculator. I don't know how you "learn" to "do" algabra if you don't first learn how to do it on pen and paper! I remember only being allowed a calculator in middle school. NEVER in elementary. And even in middle school, and high school, nine out of ten times you had to show your work!

 

[JR6ooo4]

I am still using an hp 15c that I bought in the 80's for $120. In good condition they are selling for upwards of $500 on ebay since they are no longer made.

Mikeeee

 

[NotAmused]

I am 20 and I don't even think we were allowed to use calculators in elementary school! We might have used a basic calculator. I know the school I am interning in now does not allow calculators except for the basic ones that are provided for free when they are needed in class.

 

[bethbuchall]

I went to the TI site to see the calculator. You can get it at Staples online or OfficeMax online for $19.99, so I don't think they are getting much of a deal through the school. If the whole class is using this calculator, it will be much easier for your child to do so as well. Our schools had a class set of calculators for them to use on occasion at that age. Both my older kids needed scientific calculators in middle school, and my oldest (11th grade)needed to purchase a graphing calculator for home use this year. They have used school-owned graphing calculators starting in middle school.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I'd ask whether the calculator will be suitable for up to the end of high school. I bought a $25 calculator when I was in 6th grade but it lasted me all the way through into college math - I still have it at 22. If so, it's clearly a good investment!

I doubt it will be what he needs in high school. The one they request in our high school classes is a graphing calculator that runs around $100 unless you find it on sale or with a rebate.

 

[Kath2003]

I doubt it will be what he needs in high school. The one they request in our high school classes is a graphing calculator that runs around $100 unless you find it on sale or with a rebate.

Ouch
Mine does graphs and the lot. It's actually the one required for university physics because we sell it in the shop I work at.

 

[MAKmom]

Sorry, just to clarify..I don't mean he shouldn't be doing basic algebra and geometry. I just don't get why he needs a calculator to do it at this age. I remember doing it on paper and pencil way back when I was his age.
I know it's only going to get worse. My friend at work brought in her son's new TI something or other for highschool. It has a USB port so the teacher can download programs for the students. It's going to be soooo over my head by the time he's in 7th grade.

We do not need the calculators unitl 6th grade.

 

[RitaZ.]

My DD is in 4th grade and they don't use calculators. What functions can this calculator perform? What exactly will they use them for?

Calculators are helpful, but you have to know how to work the problems without them. Even in college, you will always have to show your work to get proper credit.

 

[friend of pooh]

Our schools start using calculators in 3rd or 4th grade. The thought behind it is that once they start doing algebra, geometry, and other multistep problems, it will help them not to get bogged down. Plus they are allowed on our state tests, so kids need to know how to use them on those. Personally, while I see their reasoning, I now see so many kids that can't add, subtract, or multiply without a calculator that is frustrating.

 

[crzyred]

I went to parochial school through 5th grade, we were not allowed to use calculators. I think the first time I was allowed to use one was in 7 or 8th grade. However when it came time for high school, I had to buy a TI-83 and that was a few years ago ( about 7 or 8) and that was well over $100.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I don't think 4th graders should be using calculators. They ought to be able to do whatever they're being taught.

 

[MM27]

If you decide to get the calculator on your own, make sure it is the exact same model as the one being used in the classroom. We use the TI-15 and we have large posters in the classroom for teachers to point out different functions or to give kids a visual as the teacher is explaining. It sure beats going around to 25 kids individually.

I don't know about every state, but in New Jersey our state testing NJ ASK allows students to use calculators for all open ended questions. They are the questions that even with a calculator kids would need to have mathematical understanding and background in order to work out the problems. In my district we use the Everyday Math program and they incorporate calculator use in some parts of the program but kids are still required to learn the basics without calculators. They are not taking the place of the required learning. We still work problems out on paper.

 

[Jaimee]

They have a parents meeting regarding the cirriculum in a few weeks, so I guess I'll find out more then. Our district also uses Everday Math, so I guess this must be a part of it? Luckily DS has a good grasp on the basics (percentages, multiplying, division..). I just think this would hurt the kids who are struggling. Hopefully as a previous poster mentioned this will only be used for certain lessons, not all the time.

 

[luvdzne]

DD is now in the 3rd grade. A calculator was on the list of school supplies she needed. It was a basic one, but still she's in the 3rd grade! I waited until I could talk to her teacher about it and question why she needed one. Her teacher said that they will learn to work on the calculator this year. They are working on x's and division, I don't ever remember needing a calculator to learn them. My older dd has had to have a calculator for school since 6th grade and it was a more expensive one which doubled in price when she lost it and we had to purchase another one.

 

[sweet angel]

What if you can't afford to run out and buy a calculator?