the real everyday math

Around these parts that means striking bargains about using the netbook to play math-related sites.  It's a little ironic that in my efforts to school her in the math basics, she uses Fact Dash on mhschool.com, a site run by McGraw-Hill, publishers of the beloved Everyday Mathematics curriculum used in our district.  

When searching for a better explanation of just why so many people love to hate Everyday Math, I found this useful page that explains the various convoluted methods for computing that EM teaches.   Couple that with my opinion on "inventive spelling" and I'm sure I'll be a teacher favorite at conferences for years to come.   Joking.  Mostly. 

I thought it was pretty funny that beside her wi-fi linked netbook she had a cheap $7 plastic push button multiplication table I had gotten her at the parent teacher store.  I really don't think there's anything wrong with a spiraled spiralling tornadic? approach to teaching a subject, but I see how much more in depth she needs me to be with her at home.  This recent local piece on the reform math type programs is a bit disheartening.  She doesn't have an autism spectrum diagnosis, but as mentioned by the neuro who diagnosed her dyspraxia, there is a lot of overlap in the two.   She is definitely more an independent thinker than a collaborative sort.  Time will tell how much the school version of math instruction helps or hinders her grasp of subject material.

I swear NaBloPoMo is turning into NaBloPo(aboutnothingotherthanschoolandmath)Mo, but there you have it.   I have many thoughtful comments that I just haven't had time to respond to and have stumbled upon many more blog posts and beauty that I wanted to share, but also haven't had the time to.  Having a kid who can comprehend a vast amount of material in a short amount of time sort of leaves me to being the one to whip up a buffet of learning at a moment's notice.  That's a good dilemma to have.   Also a good dilemma---not worrying about her screen time because it means for a change she's actually interested in paring back her five book a day habit.   

Comments

[Mel]

I love reading all this math and reading and school stuff. Although my lil one is not even 3 yet, it is all very relevant, inspiring and interesting. You can turn NaPoBloMo into NaPoBloYear anytime...