I just had a parent-teacher conference few weeks ago, and I had to say I was dumbfounded about “conceptual mathematics” the school is teaching my child.
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I am not an “older” mom so I am going to try refrain myself from saying “back in the days when I was in school …”
So, with that said, I just can’t believe what the school is teaching my child … conceptual mathematics?
If you didn’t know (not all schools teaches this type of mathematics skills – so don’t worry if you don’t know about this) it is supposed to promote math as a conceptual tool, and not limited to procedural thinking.
Basically, it promotes children to get general understanding of math rather than the specifics – “…places greater emphasis on formulating a solving problems, rather than getting the answer always right (Josh 2006).”
Honestly, what do you mean you don’t have to understand the specifics? What do you mean they don’t have to get the answer always right?
Alright, I am not trying to say that my child should always get the answer correctly – I know I am not being realistic nor fair for my child to put through such harsh expectations, but kids should aim to get the answer correctly!
Alright with that said … when my husband and I went to the parent-teacher conference, the teacher told us that my child only received 2/4 points (in one of the math questions) because my child didn’t justify (the concept) the answer fully.
Remind you that my child had gotten the answer correctly to the question (1+3=4), but the answer wasn’t fully explained.
I don’t know about you, but 1+3 equal 4, and there shouldn’t be any other justification to the answer, but 4 … to me 1+3 equal 4, and only 4.
How are children supposed to learn math if the basics of math are not specified? Never mind the fact that how in the heck are they going to balance the check book in the future?
Are our children going to tell the bank manager that “well, when I was doing an accounting, I conceptualized my spending to be $250 and not $260.”
Well, here comes the bank fees, bounce checks, and blah blah blah! I am getting a headache from thinking about it!
I don’t know if it’s fortunate (or unfortunate), but I am not alone. There are many parents out there as frustrated as we are, but who can afford private education these days?
However, my husband and I are really considering transferring our children to private schools – guess, I have to get a job!
I have heard this conceptual math will be taken out of school curriculum, but I don’t know when; however, I would like to see it sooner than later.
Josh. Baicc Math – Conceptual Math. AllExperts. Retrieved from http://en.allexperts.com/q/Basic-Math-657/conceptual-math.htm (1/18/09).
Conceptual Mathematics…
I just had a parent-teacher conference few weeks ago, and I had to say I was dumbfounded about “conceptual mathematics” the school is teaching my….
Conceptual Mathematics…
I just had a parent-teacher conference few weeks ago, and I had to say I was dumbfounded about “conceptual mathematics” the school is teaching my….
Conceptual Mathematics…
I just had a parent-teacher conference few weeks ago, and I had to say I was dumbfounded about “conceptual mathematics” the school is teaching my….