Here is a quote from the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) for 3rd grade: "...the primary focal points at Grade 3 are multiplying and dividing whole numbers...."
Put what does this mean? I believe it means the children should leave 3rd grade knowing their multiplication and division facts. This is not, however, what Plano ISD does. If you want your children to know their math facts, you have to teach them yourself. Has anyone ever told you that?
The Plano ISD is so wrapped up with critical thinking, understanding concepts, and integrated curriculum that they neglect imparting basic facts. Some parents take up the slack themselves. Some send their children for tutoring. But what about those kids in Plano whose parents don't have college degrees or money for tutoring? A gap develops in their math skills that is never overcome.
We need to improve elementary school mathematics for the sake of all the children.
Robert
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If you want your children to know their math facts, you have to teach them yourself. Has anyone ever told you that?
I was (effectively) told this when I tried to get my third grade daughter's school to teach her more math. For reading, they will partition the kids into the groups based on ability and give appropriate reading material for each group. But they will not do so for math. For math it appears that everyone in the grade gets exactly the same, and that "same" is to meet the very minimal standards set by TAKS.
The principal did encourage me to talk to the elementary math curriculum person at the district. I should follow that suggestion. I would really like to know why they can't do for math what they do for reading.
The PISD administration in the past has been like a brick wall when people talked to the about math. Some parents got so frustrated they ended up sueing the district.
I believe you would be wasting your time talking to the curriculum people in the administration.
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