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Post by doctorwho on Jul 16, 2007 8:10:38 GMT -6
Doc-that was the "whole language" approach. No phonics. They realized it didn't work and they axed the program after several years. I agree, to figure out basic math, which some should be mental, how will these kids take to test? Chicory-I do not have young children which would be affected by EM. My understanding from some of my neighbors who do have young children is that the parents are having trouble figuring out how they want the problem solved,so it is hard for them to help their own children. that was it -- 'whole language' -- didn't like it and said it then, forced my child to spell correctly even though I was told it would discoruage writing -- it didn't. As for EM - I believe some of the issue maybe that items like the lattice / and some of the other solution models - are great for visuals - almost like a proof method / very conceptual, as long as students don't think they have to solve every problem this way for the rest of their life.... it shows relational concepts.... |
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Post by Arch on Jul 16, 2007 8:21:23 GMT -6
My kids have been through it.
While it seemed odd to us as parents, the kids grasped it and got through it. We supplemented with 'old school' methods, but they always did it via the method requested in the classwork and homework.
My son has been in honors math, always with an A, and my daughter is in PA math, always with an A. My 5th/6th grader's strongest subject is also math and it's no effort for him
So, while some of the methodologies seem 'silly sounding' and 'weird' to my wife and I, the kids had no problem with any of it and excel in the subject. Since they're not having a problem with it, I'm not having a problem with it... Even though I always found it odd to have to answer "Why did you do it this way?" to a homework question. I cheekily always commented "Because that's the right answer!" Ha Ha.
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Post by gatormom on Jul 16, 2007 8:35:51 GMT -6
Funny Arch. My daughter is on the other end of the spectrum. Math does not come easy to her and she has struggled in the past. At first, I blamed EM but soon realized it was the way she learned.
I have come to respect EM and the way it teaches concepts, introducing them at an early age and building on them.
By the way, my daughter who once hated math and struggled horribly, is starting accelerated math next year. She is working on 7th grade math this summer. She has had some outstanding teachers who helped build her confidence in math but I have to give some of the credit to EM.
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Post by doctorwho on Jul 16, 2007 8:37:51 GMT -6
My kids have been through it. We supplemented with 'old school' methods, but they always did it via the method requested in the classwork and homework. I think this is key also -- as we did the same thing -- one in accel math in MS now and the other was PA math, and math being one of the strongest subjects for both. |
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Post by blankcheck on Jul 16, 2007 11:04:57 GMT -6
It maybe interesting to find out how many kids are enrolled in tutoring classes around here for help in math. There seems to be more and more of them opening up.
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