Where are the Elementary School Teachers (My Sympathies)

[readyin07]

Little vent and my sympathies lol. A relative of mine posted one of the videos that have floated around that compare two digit multiplication strategies - basically to show how "slllooooowwwww" the window/box method is versus the traditional method. Second relative comments about how "stupid" this method is. I had to chime back with how it's actually really smart to teach them this strategy because it shows them the methodology behind the traditional method and it's one my son actually prefers. She chimes back that it basically makes no sense b/c her older granddaughter (who is in 2nd and not even doing this lol) always gets problems wrong b/c she can't show the proper work and that she checked with her kindergarten granddaughter's school (she volunteers in a K class there) and they don't use this method. Ok, sure they don't lol. Her school is in my district and I'm sure they teach all sorts of strategies just as they do at every other school lol. I don't know how you deal with these people.

[Deleted]

I’ve seen this too. I had to remind my mom that this is a visual representation of the same method my dad used when he taught me to multiply when I was in elementary school, and that this ability to do math in my head is vital to my profession. All of the elementary teachers in the family (there are several) chimed in to explain this this is a way to explain concepts, and is not meant to be the “fast” way to do it.

It really bothers me when people pick on teachers like this. I guarantee you that everything they are teaching uses an evidence-based method.

[katfco]

I hate that video! I teach fifth grade, which is when they learn area model multiplication, and that video is so misleading. I do get tired of people thinking they know how teaching works just because they’ve been to school, but fortunately, I don’t get too many parents like that. Most are happy their kids are getting an education.

[mccallister84]

The area model is one of the best ways for kids who struggle to get multiplying and then factoring polynomials in Algebra 1. Even if it slower than the standard algorithm it builds conceptual understanding and sets kids up for future mathematical success.

[W.T.Faulkner]

Parents are the #1 reason I don’t want to work in the suburbs.

[bugandbibs]

You know what’s awesome? Understanding that kids learn in all different types of ways and trying to reach everyone. Knowing more than one way to solve a problem helps students to really understand the why and allows them to extrapolate that knowledge to other problems/areas.

[readyin07]

Oct 7, 2019 19:41:02 GMT -5 W.T.Faulkner said:

Parents are the #1 reason I don’t want to work in the suburbs.

And in this case grandparents so...I feel you lol!

[stephm0188]

I wish I had had those strategies as a kid. I struggled in math, and it was because the focus was on rote memorization of math facts. Teaching number sense and different strategies is just good practice. It's been pretty awesome seeing the impact it's had on my son and how freakishly fast he can solve complex math problems in his head because he knows how to break the numbers down.

[joenali]

Oct 7, 2019 20:58:49 GMT -5 stephm0188 said:

I wish I had had those strategies as a kid. I struggled in math, and it was because the focus was on rote memorization of math facts. Teaching number sense and different strategies is just good practice. It's been pretty awesome seeing the impact it's had on my son and how freakishly fast he can solve complex math problems in his head because he knows how to break the numbers down.

Same! Right now I’m teaching three different strategies to help with math facts: doubles plus one, make 10, and compensation. It’s so helpful in the long run. And it’s something we actually do as adults, but we don’t realize we are doing these things because we do it so quickly.

[stephm0188]

And I always find the complainers amusing.

They don't like it because they don't understand the method, so they dismiss it as a waste of time and stupid.
Which is exactly why it's beneficial to teach kids various methods.
Chances are, they'll understand at least one of them, use it effectively, and not dismiss math as being a waste of time and stupid.

[meganew]

The best is when I see fellow teachers posting that shit.

[Que?]

Oct 7, 2019 20:58:49 GMT -5 stephm0188 said:

I wish I had had those strategies as a kid. I struggled in math, and it was because the focus was on rote memorization of math facts. Teaching number sense and different strategies is just good practice. It's been pretty awesome seeing the impact it's had on my son and how freakishly fast he can solve complex math problems in his head because he knows how to break the numbers down.

I’m working through my math anxiety and major math block via my daughter and the new math strategies. I love this shit, it’s so validating!
I’m not a teacher, so while we’ve been fortunate to have excellent teachers, I also generally just defer to them and their ability to recognize different learning styles.

[sonrisa]

Oct 7, 2019 21:15:50 GMT -5 stephm0188 said:

They don't like it because they don't understand the method, so they dismiss it as a waste of time and stupid.
Which is exactly why it's beneficial to teach kids various methods.

Yes.

I love that my kid's school requires them to learn multiple methods rather than just one. So they don't end up as adults who can do basic math if and only if its presented exactly how they did it as a kid and without understanding what they are doing. 

Yes, there is benefit to doing multiple methods so each kid can learn at least one. And even more value to making them work at them all and develop math fluency. 

Grandma doesn't like that method *because she never gained enough math fluency and mental flexibility* to understand it.

Why would she want to pass along her own short comings to her grandkids? SMH

[msmerymac]

I'm not a teacher but when people talk about how stupid the box method is I always say, "well, that's how I do it in my head."

[poe]

I had a dad ask me when math was going back to normal. 😂😂😂 I told him it was normal and it wasn’t changing anytime soon. He looks mad.
My h has a friend who teaches middle school math and she told him students are so much more prepared coming to her and that elementary teachers need to keep it up.

[Jalapeñomel]

We’ve had many discussions on here about how the new way sucks.


One day grown ups may realize that their way isn’t the only way.

[dock]

The only thing I hate about “the new math” is that I don’t know what the directions are asking for the majority of the time, so I’m not positive how to be sure my kid is doing it correctly/can’t help him if he’s stuck. I wish I understood the expectations better as a parent. It amazes me what my kid can do in his head at this age. I do google, but it’s not always clear cut.

[dochas]

Oct 8, 2019 16:26:33 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

I'm not a teacher but when people talk about how stupid the box method is I always say, "well, that's how I do it in my head."

Yes, me too! And then I think, "something here is stupid, but it isn't the math."

[dochas]

Oct 8, 2019 18:20:45 GMT -5 poe said:

I had a dad ask me when math was going back to normal. 😂😂😂 I told him it was normal and it wasn’t changing anytime soon. He looks mad.
My h has a friend who teaches middle school math and she told him students are so much more prepared coming to her and that elementary teachers need to keep it up.

I have a 3rd grader, and this is so great to hear. It seems to me that it's really teaching a true understanding of numbers and their relationships, rather than just memorization, and I think it will make things easier to understand down the road.