naloff (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

WHY!Washington state education is so messed up. Not only do we focus education to pass the most ridiculous standardized test, the WASL, but we prepare students with over complicated crap like this!

calebcjh86 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

lol in the end Singaporean education is still the best

windslasherx (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

man I'm dizzy now... @_@

krononomikon (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I was thinking the same thingwouldn't you think, though, that the first method should be the most efficient, and then other methods taken after in order to help children who are having troubles? or perhaps just using other algorithms or clusters as a starting point to getting children to understand? what'd be awesome is if teachers were like "does anyone understand this?" during class and then work with the kid in front of the class, which would help everyone

cab52842 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I have taught Everyday Mathematics for years. You are correct when you say the "program" doesn't give sufficient practice time to master anything. But the important thing to remember is the state sets standards that districts must follow. One such standard in Texas is multiplication mastery. Also,common sense must prevail. The alternate methods are stepping stones to the sometimes confusing "standard" algorithms! Lattice is an excellent 2,000 year-old stepping stone, and it helps kids learn

sleeper2345 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Why?

underbay (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

FUCK MATH.

TigerlilyFL (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

As a former special education teacher, I can see some value to these new methods once the standard algorithms have failed a particular student. However, It is vital to primarily focus on teaching the classic algorithms since that is what the parents know, it is simple, and it works for most kids (as I have seen).One of these newer approaches would be great to try with a kid who, after repeated tries, does not "get" the standard algorithm. That's my 2 cents!Thanks for posting!

eclipsedrose (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

oh and by the way Einstein probably suffered from dyscalculia bad example for opening credits.

eclipsedrose (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I love the lattice method. That was a way that I could actually understand multiplication. You are not even considering people who learn differently like the dyscalculic population. NOT EVERYONE LEARNS THE SAME. It is more important to understand the concepts of math than meaningless formulas. Also who cares if it's not the same way parents learned it? If it works for the individual child who cares? All in all BULLSHIT. Offensive and ignorant. I hope you actually read these comments.