Teacher opinions needed please!

[kristen821]

My Mom usually does homework w/ the girls for pretty much this reason. Now she has her PhD and I went to graduate school - between both of we can usually get it.
I am definitely going to ask about that book, I don't care if I have to buy, at least I will not look like an idiot to my 9Y0DD.

It is pretty scary when you don't understand 2nd grade homework isn't it! I don't know what I am going to do when he gets in to the real hard stuff!

 

[SandiH]

Thank you I will have to get a hold of one of those books. At least then he would be taught how they want him to learn it. I am hoping next year will be better! I don't think ds works on a workbook in school either. I will have to ask him when he gets home, but I think that is probably what the teacher sends home for homework. The homework is always torn out of a workbook.

Interesting. They should be doing the Math Journal (workbook) in class. The homework we get is specifically designed for at home - It's called Homelink. Perhaps he's not getting his workbook done in class so that's why it's coming home?

 

[kristen821]

Interesting. They should be doing the Math Journal (workbook) in class. The homework we get is specifically designed for at home - It's called Homelink. Perhaps he's not getting his workbook done in class so that's why it's coming home?

I don't know. I am going to have to ask his teacher. He does get the homelink, but from what he and his friends say they don't have to do any math work at school to often. Either they failed to mention the workbook or the teacher doesn't have them do it and that would be where the problem is. I asked him and two of his friends who were over and they said that the teacher does two problems on the board and has them tear out there homework. Maybe there is a workbook in class, but they didn't mention it. I will ask ds to bring it home to see if he is doing it if he has one. Thank you

 

[DisneyDotty]

As our world has become more complex, it is important that our children do more than recite formulas and facts. It is also important that they realize there is more than one way to solve a problem. There is not a curriculum in this world that will be ideal for all students-they are human beings, not machines. I realize that ED Math is not for everybody, but it encourages the skills that are necessary in today's world as well as those that will be used on most state assessment-our WASL for example. Being able to explain why is mandatory on our state assessment, and ED Math encourages that!

ITA!
Our district has been using EM for probably 7 years now. My DD12 has amazing critical thinking skills, as does my DS7. My kids are able to work out a problem with much more understanding than my DN's--13 and 15, who were schooled in "traditional" (ie., drill and kill) mathematics.
So much of the sucess of the EM program depends upon the teacher. Have the teachers been adequately trained in it? Do they themselves have a good understanding of mathematics? (Not to criticize elementary teachers--I appreciate all they do--but it is a woeful fact that many el. ed. teachers are math phobic--and they will readily admit "they don't get math." If that's the case, how are they going to teach it?!)
One concern I see in our district is in its attempt to appease parents who don't understand the EM program, the district is now throwing in the old math facts/memorize and regurgigate facts as fast as they can. The amount of stress this causes--especially in 2nd graders! Studies show that EM works well if it is taught as it was intended. I don't believe timed math fact tests are a part of how it was intended to be presented.

 

[DisneyDotty]

I don't know. I am going to have to ask his teacher. He does get the homelink, but from what he and his friends say they don't have to do any math work at school to often. Either they failed to mention the workbook or the teacher doesn't have them do it and that would be where the problem is. I asked him and two of his friends who were over and they said that the teacher does two problems on the board and has them tear out there homework. Maybe there is a workbook in class, but they didn't mention it. I will ask ds to bring it home to see if he is doing it if he has one. Thank you

Yes, follow up on this! Homelinks are a critical part of EM!
Again, if the teacher isn't following the program, no wonder your child (and everyone else) is unsuccessful with it!

 

[MOM2Z&K]

We live in a suburb of Chicago and also use Everyday Math. My son is in 2nd grade and it is, in my opinion, a very weak program. I was a former teacher, and got very concerned when I was having to teach my son how to do his "Home Link" every night. This was in addition to the flashcards that we were doing because I had been warned that the program was weak on basic skills.

I wrote a letter to the local paper and several other parents responded with similar concerns. Our school had a meeting with the principal, the director of curriculum and the math curriculum director. They, for the most part, patted us on the head and said that they knew best. Until many of us spoke up as former teachers, that is. Then they realized that we had been there and would not be intimidated by their "teacher speak". (Again, I was a teacher, and I don't mean all do this, but some, especially those in higher position, do try to intimidate).

The end result is, this program will be kept at least until it is up for review. It is a very expensive program, and our district has spent too much money on it to just throw it away. The math director was very defensive and could not see any problems with the curriculum. The director of curriculum finally admitted that she had been on the committe that had chosen the curriculum 7 years prior, and that it was "the best at the time".

I have since seen my son's teacher begin to supplement more with the "basics". I have volunteered to be on the committee to chose the new curriculum in 2007 (although I'm not sure if they'll call me as I am now kind of labeled a "troublemaker"). I have had many people thank me for the letter I wrote, as they felt alone in their dislike of the program.

Talk to some of the other parents, and do your research. Start with the internet. I'm not being allowed to post the URL, but there are several good sites that deal with this programs shortcomings. Maybe you can help change the way it is being taught, if not the actual program being used. Good luck!

 

[SandiH]

Just like any curriculum - there are going to be people who love it or hate it. My boys are very good at math - is it because of ED Math or are they just naturals - I don't know. Like I said, I'm not sure everyone learns well with it but I'm sure some kids wouldn't learn well with another program. Everyone learns differently. I think it's important for a teacher to follow the program otherwise I'm sure it's more confusing. If the teacher is having trouble "getting" it or not buying into the program, that could be a problem as well.

Do the best you can to suppliment the program and help your child at home and communicate with the teacher.

 

[disykat]

I'm okay with it, but everyone I know agrees that extra basic skills practice is a must in addition to this program. It is also frustrating for students and parents that it doesn't teach to mastery.

I think the program works well with a good teacher - but it takes PLANNING to do it correctly. It's very hands on, you are not just teaching out of a book. You have to plan a demo, do group work from one book, do practice from another book, and prepare and hand out the homelink. Some days the teacher's manuals descriptions are quite involved. I sub - so I know to LOOK AT THE MATH FIRST! That and science are the hardest subjects to prepare for. It is very different from doing a textbook where the lesson plan looks like "do pg 47 & 48".

 

[mudnuri]

Interesting. They should be doing the Math Journal (workbook) in class. The homework we get is specifically designed for at home - It's called Homelink. Perhaps he's not getting his workbook done in class so that's why it's coming home?

thats what we have and there is a page number at the top that corresponds with her book....

The book is hardcover its her regular math book- its not a specific book for parents???

Brandy

 

[kristen821]

Thank you to everyone for your input. I have a feeling that it isn't being taught correctly in his class. I talked to someone who has a dd that had the same teacher last year and she said she felt the same way I did last year, but she is ok with it this year. She doesn't love the program, but doesn't feel like her dd has never seen it before at homework time anymore. I know I didn't receive a parent book and that is definately something I will be bringing up with the school.

 

[Miller1412]

Now, we are moving to a new method called TERC. This method says we are not to teach the children how to do things. We are to give them materials to explore, ask them to do something (like count coins), then ask them how they did it. We are not to show them how. Is that the most ridiculous thing you ever heard? I debated with the program's representative for a bit in the meetings, and finally got her to admit that they do need to be shown how, but you are to "lead them through questioning" to doing it. Well, what if the kid can't be led through questioning? What if the kid just doesn't get it? Then what? Then, nothing, I was told, just continue to let them explore the materials and learn on their own. What do they need to come to school for then? We'll just buy them all materials and have them sent to their houses and they'll know how to do math. Right?

Oh good luck with TERC!! We use it in our district, and while there are some really good things about it, the biggest problem is that TERC is full of gaps. There are so many standards that it doesn't even remotely cover.

I was actually a trainer for this program, and the kids do explore, but it's teacher led exploration, so you are in fact teaching them. However, if a kid isn't super motivated to find creative ways to solve problems, but is just looking to get the work done, it can end up not being challenging at all.

The teachers in our district have said time and time again that TERC is not enough and there are too many gaps. We are trying to get Harcourt Math right now because we are all using other materials to supplement the TERC program anyway. But of course...it all comes down to money...and the district has invested loads of money in TERC, the materials and the teacher training, so they don't want to let it go! The Harcourt rep even offered to let us pilot Harcourt for free in our school and the district is against it because they don't want to say that TERC isn't working!!

 

[kristen821]

Ds had homework today that I wasn't even sure what it was. I called around asking everyone, but nobody knew. Can anyone tell me what a fraction bar is? Thank you!

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

I wouldn't waste your time trying to get the curriculum changed unless you are at a private school. Those decisions are made at the district level. Voice your concerns to the principal. Find out who the best math teacher is at the 3rd grade level and make sure your child gets that teacher next year. Good luck!