4th grade Math

My kids did this sort of thing in math when they were in elementary school. I admit, I was a bit surprised at how much geometry and algebra they were doing, but I do have to admit, it's made it much better for them in high school. (my ds graduated last year, and my dd is a Senior).

It starts to introduce these sorts of concepts to them in a way that's less intimidating in the long run and sort of eases them into this sort of math, instead of just sort of throwing them into the deep end, so to speak.

And, if you think about it, I bet your kid has been doing algebra since about 1st grade - after all, if you think about it, when they get problems that look like

5 + ___ = 8 fill in the blanks is really no different than 5 + x = 8 solve for x....

cont

My 2nd grader just started algebra. R+----------------->s is an RS line and all those lines and arrows and stuff. I just felt my eyes crossing as I looked at it.

For a long time, there was a trend where the US was falling farther and farther behind in math in comparison to other countries - including many that are nowhere near as developed or industrialized as our own. Part of that was from the math curriculum that was used when we were growing up (as far as the curriculum goes, stand alone), and also because, since so many were just tossed into the deep end so to speak, they got that math anxiety thing going, where they would almost rather go get a tooth pulled than do advanced math - this helps reduce these things :-)

It's sort of like kids learning Spanish with Dora, as opposed to waiting until High School - it's easier to lay the groundwork when they're younger - kwim? :-)

Though trust me, I tutored elem kids in math for several yrs - so I do feel your pain ;-) And I still refuse to help my dd with her calculus -- eek :-P

i can attest being an elementary teacher for 21 years in all that what I did as a ninth grader-algebra and word problems started showing up more and more.

I taught Math in the public school -let's call it teaching the end of the year TAKS test in grades 3/4 in Bilingual/ESL first in Spanish as this was a Newcomer's Center-ALL YEAR LONG.

It just isn't simple operations for anyone anymore. Word problems are the trend now. The preparation for these start now in 1st and 2nd grade.

I saw kids from Mexico, Central America and South America really struggle with this, especially since word problems don't even enter into their lives until about 7th grade.

It does teach kids to think-It is not a bad idea-except to evaluate them on a test that determines weather or not they pass or not-I feel 3rd grade is ENTIRELY TOO soon.

But this is politics/government spending for you.

Veronica

Well, I personally love Math so it's never too much for me!!!

Having said that, I notice that concepts that were taught in junior high years ago are now being taught at the elementary school level. Even during the few years between my son and my daughter (they're 7 years apart), the curriculum has changed drastically. I don't think it's going to do anything to bring us up to speed with other countries who currently surpass us in the subject.

I wish they'd take the time, energy, and effort put into the Math curriculums towards teaching our kids to be critical thinkers instead. Our educational system is producing nothing more than robots, imo.