The "Common Core" Way to Problem Solve

I honestly can't remember the source of this picture, although it came across my Facebook news feed repeatedly.  As parents, we know how we learned math.  The teacher showed us the traditional algorithm and we just did it. Concerned moms and dads constantly come into our center frustrated because they can't help their student since they "aren't doing it right."

Why does it have to be this way? Why are Common Core Standards making it more complicated? That is a huge national debate I will let the experts defend, but it is our kid's reality for now.  The powers that be want the kids to know where the numbers are coming from and improve number sense. For many kids, they don't need all the pitstops along the way to get to the answer and the requirement of dragging out a solution actually becomes a huge turn off of math in general, or leads to careless mistakes, or leaves them more confused than just going with the "old school" way.

At Mathnasium of 4S Ranch we are striving to support our students in the ways presented by their teachers, but to also let kids know sometimes there are other ways to reach the same answer. Isn't the bottom line 32-12=20. Kids need to build up their own personal toolbox of math kids that make sense to them so they can think on their feet in the real world.  All this work for 32-12 is for an early elementary math student, just imagine something more complex and the steps for prealgebra, algebra, geometry, trig or calculus!  No wonder frustrated parents are seeking out quality math tutoring.

This is why I love our tagline: We Make Math Make Sense. Visit or call our center in 92127 to learn more.

Survey Says: "We're Not Good at Math"

I came across this survey and sat in silence!  1000 people were surveyed, all 18 years or above, and they were questioned on their self perception or feelings on math.  Grown ups that have at least had the opportunity to benefit from a full educational experience through the high school level.

They admitted to:

• Struggles with math situations they come across in a typical day, like shopping, taxes, interest rates
• Feeling frustrated when they have to use math authentically in real life
• Difficulty when figuring out the discount on a sale or figuring out a server's tip
• Feelings such as frustration, anxiety, worry and inadequacy

Sadly, women have a more harsh perception of themselves than men, a perception the educational system has been working tirelessly to correct.

With future jobs heading toward more and more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) skills, today's students cannot afford to have outcome. It will short change their opportunities and prospects for careers.

Mathnasium of 4S Ranch is more than math tutoring. Our top priority is build a student's success by making math make sense and instilling confidence as they work toward independence in the concepts they are studying.  We do this whether the child is struggling in math or visiting us for math enrichment.

After reading this article/survey, I feel more responsible than ever to make sure a future generation does have these same perceptions of themselves concerning math.  Students need to be adequately prepared to be successful and have the confidence. Elementary math is foundational to middle school math, such as pre-algebra and other algebra readiness courses. These directly feed into high school math success and impacts higher math concepts. The unfortunate thing about math is the train pulls out of the station in kindergarten and it doesn't stop. Once the struggle begins you have to address it or things slip away. Little by little at first, but at an alarming rate at some point. I have to think many in the survey were "those" kids. They may have gotten out of the class, but math shows up all the time in life's classroom (work, home, household budgets, big ticket purchases).

For the full article, please click here:

http://changetheequation.org/press/new-survey-americans-say-“we’re-not-good-math”

Image taken on 1/19/14 from: http://img.wallbeam.com/193processed/Bullet%20red%20train%20wallpaper%20hd.jpg

"Boring Math" Impacts Students Negatively

This New York Times article just hurts my heart. The amazing opportunities today's kids have with STEM jobs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and their interest in them is stunted due to boredom, insecurity, lack of connection to the material, or not hearing the content in a manner that makes sense to them.

This is why Mathnasium is so focused not only on Making Math Make Sense, but it is in our DNA to get kids crazy about the subject.  We stick to the academic expectations, but make it engaging and supportive so our students flourish in the subject.  

To paraphrase the NYTimes:
"Finding ways to make math exciting for students who are in the middle of the pack could have a profound effect on their futures, providing them with the skills and enticing many who are insecure in their own abilities. But it is going to require a fundamentally different approach to teaching these subjects from childhood through high school." 

Here are a few excerpts presented in the article for ideas to begin that change:

• When students see the application of math in a real world setting
• A Flexible Curriculum: At Mathnasium, we create customized learning plans so students can receive the math tutoring help they need if they are struggling, or work with materials that provide math enrichment and challenge. We look at their abilities among concepts, so if they are strong in one and weaker in another, we work at their respective place so they are always moving forward and gaining knowledge.
• Early understanding of "Number System Knowledge" which we call Numerical Fluency at Mathnasium. Students need to know how numbers are put together and taken apart to make other numbers efficiently. This foundation sends a ripple effect into higher level math.
• Learning from individuals who are not "specialized" in their field. Mathnasium instructors focus only on math and have to pass a math literacy test plus have the educational background to support all levels of math through calculus

For the full article, click here.
Image retrieved on 12/18/13 from here.