From: Georg <toddperrett@hotmail.com>
To: Teacher2Teacher Public Discussion
Date: 2009032822:33:13
Subject: Chicago/Everyday Math

	
Suffice it to say, "Chicago" Math is without a doubt the worst
curriculum choice a district could make to instruct elementary age
children in basic mathematics.  The notion that somehow it is
advantageous to teach through this process, because it teaches the
student how to "think" about math is absolute nonsense.

If you can't understand the basics of mathematics, it does not matter
whether you can think about how math applies in your "everyday" life.

I have a step-daughter who is an engaging bright young child, who is
currently being instructed in Chicago Math (and has been for the last
4 years) - this has been nothing short of a disaster.

For you parents out there, who chance upon this website (probably out
of the same sense of desperation that caused my wife and I to look
around), please know that your concerns are valid.

I can tell you exactly how you came to this point.

Your child came home and was indicating that she was having some
trouble with math.  You sat down with her and she tried to explain to
you the Lotice method of multiplication or the "hangman" method of
long division.  You soon discovered that there isn't enough paper in
the world to complete each problem, because what took you and I 15
seconds to complete and three steps, now takes your daughter about 5
minutes to complete and 3 sheets of paper.  You know the whole
estimate the number of times x goes into y and then put the number to
the side, then estimate again, then put that number to the side, then
one more time, then again, and again and again.  42 steps later and
you have your division problem complete, which you and I could have
completed in 5 seconds by looking at it.  Why the difference?  Because
you and I were actually taught how to do the dang problem.

There are two glaring things wrong with Chicago Math - 1) the kids
never stay on a topic long enough to understand it.  One day it's
division, then fractions, then lotice method, then geometry, then
fractions, then subtraction, . . . well, you get it.  But the point is
- nothing is ever ACTUALLY LEARNED; and, 2) the basic premise that you
don't really need to master it, because after all in 7th and 8th
grade, you start to use calculators.  I am not kidding - that is the
explanation that was given to us at a recent parent-teachers
demonstration on this issue.

Chicago Math is touchy feely, mumbo jumbo that is better suited for
the theoretical world of academia than it is in an actual applied
mathematics setting.

Your kids will NEVER learn to the degree and level that you want them
to learn if they continue to be immersed in this system.

Unfortunately, we are at the point where my wife has elected to pull
her step daughter out of the school - because of this issue.  My
step-daughters teachers are wonderful and the school is, otherwise,
terrific, but this is pure insanity and my step-daughters future is
too important to let this go any further.

If you are reading this and going - AHA!! Know that you are not alone
in this struggle.  Chicago Math is the pits.

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