Why are Math Skills Declining?

[socialist]

A report by the far-right C.D. Howe Institute blames problems on Discovery Math. Is that fair? What about poverty? What about parents who don't care about education? It's easy to blame.

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/decline-of-canadian-students-math-skills-the-fault-of-discovery-learning-c-d-howe-institute

http://www.cknw.com/2015/05/28/78342/?sc_ref=twitter

[cybercoma]

Because teachers like you aren't educated enough to be teaching children the skills that they need.

[socialist]

Because teachers like you aren't educated enough to be teaching children the skills that they need.

How do you feel math should be taught? Any suggestions?

[Freddy]

Because teachers like you aren't educated enough to be teaching children the skills that they need.

have you ever tried to ask your kids to do chores with hardly any consequences if they don't?

Welcome to a teachers world.

At the risk of sounding old fashioned, I'm amazed teachers can get anything in those thick skulls without any form of threat, or potential of corporal punishment as a consequence.

It's a miracle the whole of North America isn't a mass of unthinking stupid zombies that have absolutely no grasp on reality what-so-ever.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Freddy

[Moonlight Graham]

How do you feel math should be taught? Any suggestions?

Math is boring to most kids. Actually, school is boring for most kids I suggest incorporating it into things they like, ie: video games (that don't suck). Or sing-alongs, or sports, or some other kind of game. This has been done, but maybe should be done more, and more effectively. Imagine kids learning a fun game that they enjoy so much that after learning it they then go outside during recess and do game involving math on their own accord without teachers suggesting it...just because it's fun! REVOLUTION!!!

Kids love to play, by their very nature. If you don't enjoy what you're learning you're not going to pay attention as well and you certainly are NOT going to do it in your spare time, unless forced.

[Je suis Omar]

Math is boring to most kids. Actually, school is boring for most kids I suggest incorporating it into things they like, ie: video games (that don't suck). Or sing-alongs, or sports, or some other kind of game. This has been done, but maybe should be done more, and more effectively. Imagine kids learning a fun game that they enjoy so much that after learning it they then go outside during recess and do game involving math on their own accord without teachers suggesting it...just because it's fun! REVOLUTION!!!

Kids love to play, by their very nature. If you don't enjoy what you're learning you're not going to pay attention as well and you certainly are NOT going to do it in your spare time, unless forced.

BING BING BING!! GIVE THIS MAN HIS CHOICE OF PRIZES!! Edited May 29, 2015 by Je suis Omar

[Je suis Omar]

It's a miracle the whole of North America isn't a mass of unthinking stupid zombies that have absolutely no grasp on reality what-so-ever.

It's not a miracle, Freddy, it's a simple fact of life. Most, but not all people, are sheeple.

[Freddy]

It's not a miracle, Freddy, it's a simple fact of life. Most, but not all people, are sheeple.

Maybe it's what they were born to do. Their purpose on this earth.

[socialist]

Math is boring to most kids. Actually, school is boring for most kids I suggest incorporating it into things they like, ie: video games (that don't suck). Or sing-alongs, or sports, or some other kind of game. This has been done, but maybe should be done more, and more effectively. Imagine kids learning a fun game that they enjoy so much that after learning it they then go outside during recess and do game involving math on their own accord without teachers suggesting it...just because it's fun! REVOLUTION!!!

Kids love to play, by their very nature. If you don't enjoy what you're learning you're not going to pay attention as well and you certainly are NOT going to do it in your spare time, unless forced.

This is a nice generalization. Do this, do that, but you offer nothing of substance.

[socialist]

BING BING BING!! GIVE THIS MAN HIS CHOICE OF PRIZES!!

BING BING BING. This man knows nothing about education. Give him some corn on the cob!!

[Je suis Omar]

BING BING BING. This man knows nothing about education. Give him some corn on the cob!!

Actually, that would be a much better reward than any of the carny trinkets I offered.

Sorry, Graham, would you like some corn on the cob, with enough butter and enough salt to give you an instant coronary.

What you are saying, S, probably is still largely true. But however true it is, it is precisely what is wrong with education and teachers. Teachers that are right in the trenches aren't completely to blame, as there are higher up teachers/admistrators/school boards/politicians who are more responsible for, the outright crap that is taught, and the crappy way it is taught.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you suggest cybercoma address the actual, real issues instead of heaving heavies?

I'd like to hear how moonlightG's ideas illustrated that he knew nothing about education; now I'm talking about the real meaning of education where the things that are learnt are then put into use in real life.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Je suis Omar

[socialist]

Actually, that would be a much better reward than any of the carny trinkets I offered.

Sorry, Graham, would you like some corn on the cob, with enough butter and enough salt to give you an instant coronary.

What you are saying, S, probably is still largely true. But however true it is, it is precisely what is wrong with education and teachers. Teachers that are right in the trenches aren't completely to blame, as there are higher up teachers/admistrators/school boards/politicians who are more responsible for, the outright crap that is taught, and the crappy way it is taught.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you suggest cybercoma address the actual, real issues instead of heaving heavies?

I'd like to hear how moonlightG's ideas illustrated that he knew nothing about education; now I'm talking about the real meaning of education where the things that are learnt are then put into use in real life.

He talks fantasy. Ok, let's let kids learn math through video games. We could teach them to add by counting the number of enemies killed while playing Call of Duty. We can teach them diameter and radius by playing Grand Theft Auto.

[Je suis Omar]

He talks fantasy. Ok, let's let kids learn math through video games. We could teach them to add by counting the number of enemies killed while playing Call of Duty. We can teach them diameter and radius by playing Grand Theft Auto.

I won't cite chapter and verse, but if you go back and read what Graham actually did say, you would see that the fantasy is yours, S.

[Moonlight Graham]

This is a nice generalization. Do this, do that, but you offer nothing of substance.

Ok well just give me a few weeks, I'll come back with a 100-page business plan for a video game, some alpha-stage character animations and code too.

[Moonlight Graham]

BING BING BING. This man knows nothing about education. Give him some corn on the cob!!

I love corn on the cob!!! HAPPY DAY!

[socialist]

Ok well just give me a few weeks, I'll come back with a 100-page business plan for a video game, some alpha-stage character animations and code too.

Exactly. You try to sound cool and trendy yet you have no idea how it would work or whether it would be beneficial. There is enough stupidity out there, without adding more.

[Moonlight Graham]

He talks fantasy. Ok, let's let kids learn math through video games. We could teach them to add by counting the number of enemies killed while playing Call of Duty. We can teach them diameter and radius by playing Grand Theft Auto.

The funny thing is your sarcastic idea would be incredibly popular and successful! Even though I know you're exaggerating based on how violent and inappropriate those games are for kids, do you realize how freaking popular those games would be with kids in and outside the classroom? Almost every male student (since those games are geared towards males) would go home every night and want to play those games for multiple hours like they do the real thing.

Candy Crush Multiplication Saga!

[Moonlight Graham]

This man knows nothing about education.

What I do know is that I was a math student for many, many years growing up, and I hated it, and I dropped math in high school the first year they would let me. I'm the (former) target demographic for your problem! SOCIALIST WE'RE SOLVING PROBLEMS TOGETHER YAY!!!

[GostHacked]

Exactly. You try to sound cool and trendy yet you have no idea how it would work or whether it would be beneficial. There is enough stupidity out there, without adding more.

MG IS trendy and cool. He is also quite articulate at times. Something I feel that is lacking in your posts.

But really, get back to the basics. Rote learning of basic math needs to happen. There is no need to discover, otherwise, you are leaving the kids at a disadvantage. Now when you get into the higher maths, then discovery becomes .. necessary. But for basic math? 2+2 is 4. What more is there to discover from that?

[Moonlight Graham]

Exactly. You try to sound cool and trendy yet you have no idea how it would work or whether it would be beneficial. There is enough stupidity out there, without adding more.

What do you mean "try"? I even have one of those trendy hipster beards. Check out my avatar!

[Guest]

MG IS trendy and cool. He is also quite articulate at times. Something I feel that is lacking in your posts.

But really, get back to the basics. Rote learning of basic math needs to happen. There is no need to discover, otherwise, you are leaving the kids at a disadvantage. Now when you get into the higher maths, then discovery becomes .. necessary. But for basic math? 2+2 is 4. What more is there to discover from that?

Exactly. The most mind meltingly useful thing you can teach a child is the times table. Teach it until they can recite it in their sleep.

People discover the discovery method as they need it. It doesn't have to be taught.

[Je suis Omar]

Are math skills declining?

[bush_cheney2004]

Yes...it's getting harder to count all the victims of "genocide" because of declining math skills.

[On Guard for Thee]

Maybe if in Meriku they tried just paying some tax instead of relying on royalties from the fast food franchises they allow in their schools to offset, they could improve math scores, and reduce obesity.

[Je suis Omar]

Exactly. The most mind meltingly useful thing you can teach a child is the times table. Teach it until they can recite it in their sleep.

People discover the discovery method as they need it. It doesn't have to be taught.

Something as simple as remembering the times table up to 12x12 doesn't need the enormous amount of time wasted. This is simply a "well, that's how me and my pappy done learned it and if it was good enough for us then ... ."

It is always better to use these things in real life situations that illustrate to students the reasons why they are learning something. What Moonlight said.