That model pretty much works. My sons' middle school worked on that model (rather than on the conventional textbook model), and their test scores showed it. More importantly, they know the information better than other students their age, and understood much more about how to actually use information learned.
Rote memorization gets a lot of criticism because it is not critical thinking...I would only defend it by saying it is the first step in the process to critical thinking...acquiring knowledge by repetition is still a viable learning tool. I'm glad this approach has not faded away, and your son utilizes it.
They're NOT currently. The point is that we're headed in the direction of such ridiculous curriculums, that you shouldn't be surprised if they do start teaching bogus things like "1+1=3". This IS public education we're dealing with, mind you. Well, I guess schools don't have to teach the Industrial Revolution, WWI, or the founding of this country either. Its that kind of "logic" that's making AMerica's educational system a laughing stock.
how we ( you and I) did things in the past are in the past...knowledge doesn't stand still and shouldn't we expect teaching methods not to change either, they should never be satisfied with the status quo.. each one of my 4 kids is further ahead of myself and mrs wyly were at similar ages...I never question my kids educational systems, they're getting the results required so they're doing something right even though its nothing like my educational experience...
seriously reading your posts I doubt you have any idea whats going in education today...I'd be surprised you could pass your high exams if you were to take them again today...
Nice little rebuttal you have there. I'm "unaware", yet where's your backup? Not only that, you are Canadian. Our education systems are separate.
Blame where blame is due. Common core does not mandate what is taught in history or science. 1+1=3 is not being taught by Common Core. Let's stick to criticizing what is really happening vs. what might happen in the future. It's a much more productive criticism, and it will address real problems, not fictional ones.
The basics of education don't change. If all teachers were to teach with the model above, we'd see a remarkable change in effectiveness. My sons went to a magnet school that used a modified version of the above, and they really learn the material, not just learn it long enough for a test. The methods can vary in teaching each phase.
thats explains everything...now it makes sense to me...the other day i had a city inspector on my job site who had to approve the math so we can finish the job...when the material truck drives up we are both given the weights...i had my answer in less than 15 seconds...he takes out his Iphone ans spent close to 10 minutes and says the truck is overloaded and we cant use the load...i looked at his answer and it was wrong..i told him where he went wrong and he argued with me...finally he called his boss and she ran the numbers and said he was wrong and that mine was right..he could not multiply or divide in his head...he was about 25 maybe 30 at most....
You're right the critical thinking part is the key...rote was important in our education(well maybe not so much yours as mine) because we didn't have calculators, and when we did have them we weren't allowed to use them....today there is different thinking, rote is a waste of time, everyone uses calculators...the process to find the solution is the most important thing without that you have nothing...sure I can drive a nail with a hammer but I use a nail gun now that does it faster, better and quicker, the hammer is only good for demo now...and thats the way it is with rote... My nephew is a very successful engineer inthe USA, he's worked on some of your most famous landmarks, he just laughs at the suggestion at not using a calculator/computor, "why would I do that, unless i put the wrong data in my calculator is never wrong"...
Learning something by heart is natural for children...they can recite children's rhymes and songs without fully understanding what they mean. They commit things to memory before they can even read. I have no children to compare the way I was taught in school vs. education today. I don't know...other than, rote memorization gets demonized often times and replaced by a more holistic approach. Repetition and drilling has it's place in the learning process, this is what I believe.
rote can work but as you've pointed out its the critical thinking part that makes the difference, I dont believe we need it like we did when we were young and it should take a backseat to critical thinking...
So you have one anecdotal story about one person and now from that you generalize the entire educational system is screwed?...
Where's your's backing up kids today are being taught 1+1=3... - - - Updated - - - What's a magnet school?
What is the first thing a soldier is taught in basic training... Drilling. Before they hold a rifle, before they learn squad tactics... they drill Left, right, about face...forward...march..left, right... mindless drilling that serves no useful purpose? Wrong. Drilling instills discipline...the repetition sears into their very being. It is the first step to think as a soldier as a unit and not as an individual. Again, I'm not at all saying rote memorization should be the sole basis of learning something...I am saying that repetition and drills, flashcards, mnemonic memory devices...are the first step in the process to understanding and eventual critical thinking. This type of learning is natural for children anyway. They repeat what they see and hear without really understanding it.
We're headed in that direction, just by simply watching the video the OP posted. That's all the "backup" I really need.
understood, but jobs are you training them for?...that might be fine for assembly work 40 years ago or a mcdonalds today but we live in a high tech world today, we require/expect people to think on their own...
It's not just about addition...it's early examples of algebraic reasoning. If you are fine with your child only understanding the basics of math, common core math reasoning is not for your child. Base ten is the basis for science and engineering.
no...i hire students many times during the summers to help with estimating the plans we use...its all math...maybe one out of 5 can do it right....
okay I take that comment back about not being able to pass a high school exam, I think you'll be challenged by senior grade school math... That system isn't new I was taught the same way 50 yrs ago...and at no time did become 1+1=3...
Why are you even here if you can't hold a coherent and mature debate? All I've been seeing out of you are petty insults. Again, AMERICAN and CANADIAN education are TWO separate SYSTEMS, common or no common core. Want me to use bold letters as well, in case it hasn't gotten through to you yet?
i learn about base ten in like 4 th grade 40 years ago...but i didnt learn it that way....9 is in bed with 1 + 5 jumps in with 10, and how many are raising the rainbow flag?...15?...wtf?
Canadian source by the way. Source: http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/0...how-to-solve-complex-calculations-study-says/ As I was saying...rote memory is the first step in the process. It's often demonized right from the get go and replaced by a holistic approach. A child's mind works by learning things to heart, it's often a natural process for them to learn this way. Critical thinking is developed at a later stage, I'm not downplaying it's importance of course.
there's no insult, most parents who graduated from high school 20 yrs ago would struggle passing today's high school exams ...that you believe breaking numbers down into groups of ten is something new and will lead to 1+1=3 strongly suggests you'll struggle with 8th grade math...
