Comments on: Math tests: Fourth-grader progress stalls http://homework.placefeedback.com/math-tests-fourth-grader-progress-stalls/ All about statistics, computer science, finance, english, economics, math homework and about tutoring and tutors, essay writing helper Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:17:32 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Alan Cook http://homework.placefeedback.com/math-tests-fourth-grader-progress-stalls/comment-page-1/#comment-15 Alan Cook Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:34:21 +0000 http://homework.placefeedback.com/?p=594#comment-15 National math test scores continue to be disappointing. This poor trend persists in spite of new texts, standardized tests with attached implied threats, or laptops in the class. At some point, maybe we should admit that math, as it is taught currently and in the recent past, seems irrelevant to a large percentage of grade school kids. Why blame a sixth grade student or teacher trapped by meaningless lessons? Teachers are frustrated. Students check out. The missing element is reality. Instead of insisting that students learn another sixteen formulae, we need to involve them in tangible life projects. And the task must be interesting. Project-oriented math engages kids. It is fun. They have a reason to learn the math they may have ignored in the standard lecture format of a class room. <a href="http://homework.placefeedback.com/alan-cook/" rel="nofollow">Alan Cook</a> info@thenumberyard.com www.thenumberyard.com National math test scores continue to be disappointing. This poor trend persists in spite of new texts, standardized tests with attached implied threats, or laptops in the class. At some point, maybe we should admit that math, as it is taught currently and in the recent past, seems irrelevant to a large percentage of grade school kids.

Why blame a sixth grade student or teacher trapped by meaningless lessons? Teachers are frustrated. Students check out.

The missing element is reality. Instead of insisting that students learn another sixteen formulae, we need to involve them in tangible life projects. And the task must be interesting.

Project-oriented math engages kids. It is fun. They have a reason to learn the math they may have ignored in the standard lecture format of a class room.

Alan Cook

info@thenumberyard.com
http://www.thenumberyard.com

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