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MrsRivera
2 under 2...whew!!
Member since 2/07 9876 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Are any of you concerned about the way education seems to be headed?
So, I'm back teaching 5th grade this year. Did 3rd last year. It was alright, but I find I just relate better to the older kids.
Now, I was never a very good math student growing up. So, the fact that I have to teach 5th-grade math is laughable to me.
I know we have gotten away from "drill and kill" tactics...but about half the kids in my class don't know their multiplication tables. IN FIFTH GRADE! And yet, I need to teach them division this week (our unit tests are set in stone by admin, can't move the date) and what a job THAT is going to be. I'm just teaching them the traditional long-division method. No forgiving method. No repeated addition method.
The other teachers on my team are giving me a hard time about this. BUT, I also drilled my kids last year on their times tables, and most of them knew it before they left my classroom.
I don't know...I guess what I'm trying to say is, we are told now to give them strategies and to let them choose the one they want to use. But I think the day I'm walking through the supermarket and see a grown adult doing the 9s trick for multiplication on their hands...I think that's the day we'll have all gone to h*ll in a handbasket.
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Posted 9/20/11 10:37 PM  |
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sarahbelle
Little drummer boy
Member since 5/05 2377 total posts
Name:
Sarah
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Re: Are any of you concerned about the way education seems to be headed?
My fifth grade students also do not know their facts. And for everyday math, it's the basis of every major concept this year. It's going to be impossible to teach them division, fractions, ratios, etc without multiplication, but like your school, we have NO time for remediation. I see a MAJOR deficit in my class but I feel like my hands are tied when it comes to remediation.
It's disheartening. And it's only the third week of school.
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| Posted 9/21/11 5:37 PM |
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Re: Are any of you concerned about the way education seems to be headed?
I think there is a place for strategy teaching and choosing and a place for things you just have to KNOW...I feel this way about sight words and the value of a quarter, for example...I agree, things are a little too free sometimes and not structured enough...
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| Posted 9/21/11 8:15 PM |
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rsquared
Sweet P is here!
Member since 4/11 2026 total posts
Name:
R
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Re: Are any of you concerned about the way education seems to be headed?
Posted by MrsRivera
So, I'm back teaching 5th grade this year. Did 3rd last year. It was alright, but I find I just relate better to the older kids.
Now, I was never a very good math student growing up. So, the fact that I have to teach 5th-grade math is laughable to me.
I know we have gotten away from "drill and kill" tactics...but about half the kids in my class don't know their multiplication tables. IN FIFTH GRADE! And yet, I need to teach them division this week (our unit tests are set in stone by admin, can't move the date) and what a job THAT is going to be. I'm just teaching them the traditional long-division method. No forgiving method. No repeated addition method.
The other teachers on my team are giving me a hard time about this. BUT, I also drilled my kids last year on their times tables, and most of them knew it before they left my classroom.
I don't know...I guess what I'm trying to say is, we are told now to give them strategies and to let them choose the one they want to use. But I think the day I'm walking through the supermarket and see a grown adult doing the 9s trick for multiplication on their hands...I think that's the day we'll have all gone to h*ll in a handbasket.
That might have been me multiplying on my hands! LOL
Whenever anyone at work asks me to do calculations, I just say, "Um...I am the art teacher." :)
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| Posted 9/21/11 9:10 PM |
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VirginiaDeb
Don't eat me, hippo!
Member since 5/05 9252 total posts
Name:
Deb
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Re: Are any of you concerned about the way education seems to be headed?
My 4th graders don't know them either. It's really frustrating. We're hoping to get the parents on board w/ reviewing them since it's really difficult to get kids to do much higher level math w/o them.
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| Posted 9/22/11 5:30 AM |
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Karen
Just chillin'!!
Member since 1/06 9690 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Are any of you concerned about the way education seems to be headed?
I taught middle school math (6-8) and a good portion of my kids did not know their multiplication tables. I wholeheartedly disagree with how math is taught now. Sorry, but some things are essential, and if they need to be taught the rote way, then so be it.
I did multiplication bingo almost Friday to get the kids up to speed quickly.
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| Posted 9/22/11 6:59 AM |
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missfabulous
#mommyneedswine
Member since 6/09 10031 total posts
Name:
Colleen
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Re: Are any of you concerned about the way education seems to be headed?
My 12th graders don't know their multiplication tables. Most of them don't even know what a long division sign looks like. I've seen them rely on calculators for even simple addition.
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| Posted 9/22/11 7:23 AM |
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