There seems to be a bit of anxiety among parents about the “new math” kids are learning these days. Isn’t math just math? Why can’t kids learn math the way we were taught? Isn’t 2+2 always going to be 4? All good questions. Whether kids are engaging in Common Core, Everyday Math, Singapore Math, Russian Math, or another equally promising program, math programs these days attempt to break down algorithmic thinking by building up a child’s number sense. In plain English, knowing the why and how behind addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division steps lends itself to knowing relationships between numbers when doing algebra, calculus, and trigonometry problems. Some math programs today are more visual, some more hands-on, some emphasize modeling, some problem solving, but all have the same end. Kids need to deeply understand why and how 2+2=4, beyond memorization of the fact alone. How do we know number sense is important? Countries who take the time to develop number sense...
Comments
Post a Comment