Some do like Math Investigations
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Karen Peak
Published: November 9, 2008
I am writing regarding Math Investigations. There are many parents against it, but many of us are for it.
I have a math-based learning disability, Dyscalculia, that is related to Dyslexia. I have a son who is Hyperlexic (Autism Spectrum). Part of this is his ability to process instructions. Math Investigations
works very well for us as it teaches us different ways to find answers. Had MI been taught while I was in school, chances are I would have performed better.
My son has gone from a child who I was told would need to attend a “special school” to a child who has always been in regular classes and is an honor roll and principal’s honor roll student. He is in the
Signet program for Math and Sciences this year. Something is working obviously. Sometimes the old adage “If it ain’t broke” is inaccurate. Old ways of teaching math were “broke” for many of us; the new
ways are fixing it.
My husband works as a lab supervisor where math is a part of what they do. He admittedly had issues with Math Investigations. However, the more he studied it, he started seeing positives. Now he is a
fan of MI. If MI is combined with traditional teaching, I feel even more children can excel. A good teacher realizes that not all children learn the same. A good teacher will help parents learn what works
best with their child. A parent dedicated to helping a child succeed academically will understand that sometimes you need to break out of that comfort zone you have in order to best help your child.
I had issues with MI at first until I sat down with teachers and took the time to LEARN about MI.
Please do not end Math Investigations. Many are benefiting from it. Maybe parents just need to sit down with teachers and actually learn how Math Investigations works. Maybe parents are the reason
children are struggling, because the parents have no idea how MI works and are afraid. There is no perfect or right way to teach.We have to find what works best for the individual.
KAREN PEAK
Dale City
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( ttangent_math ) on November 16, 2008 at 6:58 pm
It’s a mistake to categorize parents opposed to MI as reluctant to evolve, “if it ain’t broke” folks. We are among the most well read on the subject of constructivist math programs. If PWC were truly implementing this program with “balance”, we wouldn’t be so vocal but the “balance” is empty rhetoric. Some teachers can accomplish it behind closed doors, but the majority take their cues from the top and implement the lessons and pacing guides as directed. Our math dept. has only instructed teachers to supplement where SOLs are not met and supplemental materials provided are underwhelming compared to other programs.
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Posted by ( edbrm1 ) on November 16, 2008 at 8:00 am
And by the way, I have sat down with teachers, the school math team and Carol Knight.
I have spent a lot of time on this. Look at New York, Utah, Washington State and Missouri if you want to know how “well” it works.
We need rigorous maths not dumbed down, experimental, inadequately researched fuzzy math programs.
Families moving out of the area find their kids whole grades behind. It is time to do something about it.
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Posted by ( edbrm1 ) on November 16, 2008 at 6:57 am
If they say math investigations is working for special ed., I believe them. This is where it works. Where is doesn’t work is on the main stream. Slowing everybody down and boring them to tears.
If you have a reading disadvantage, you get reading classes. Do the same with math and stop experimenting on my child.
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Posted by ( real change ) on November 10, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I would love to have my child and I sit down for Math Investigation but we did not have time because we went to a VOTE INDOCTRINATION where each student was forced to learn why it is good that we elected Obama.
Don’t get me wrong. I supported Obama but I bristle when a school and its staff decides to celebrate—not the free election but the election of a specific candidate.
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