GC Elementary School Educators, I need your help. . .

[btb87]

Need a little help from GC Educators. . .

I actually posted my question in a previous thread (now 2 different threads; unfortunately, it didn't get any responses), but thought I'd try a new thread.

Can you give me some ideas as to where my daughter should be academically? She is 8 years old and in the 2nd grade. She's a very bright child (and I'm not just saying that because she's my daughter) but I am concerned about her math "skills". She reads very well and is attending a private school where they focus a lot on reading. Most of the homework that she has is vocabulary and the like, but she doesn't really bring home much math or science homework (she did have multiplication tables for homework one day last week). I've seen some of her classroom work where they are doing some science, but no homework in these other subject areas. My husband says we need to work with her more, and I agree, but what should she know at this age/grade level?

I am planning to take her out of this school and place her in a charter school where they have more afterschool activities, and from what I've been told of others, are more well rounded in other subject areas. She can learn Spanish, do computer projects, play musical instruments, etc.

Not all of the teachers in this school have Bachelor's degrees, and I honestly am not sure about their certifications. Just how important is this at her grade level?

Any words of wisdom?

[RedefinedDiva]

I haven't responded before because I understand your question, but then again, I don't. I think that your question has been "dodged" because a lot of information is not offered. Besides that, you are asking about where your child should be or what she should know by her present age. Well, to be honest, we really can't say. Better yet, I'll rephrase that. I really can't say. All children are different and reach academic milestones at various ages. The curriculum plays a part in it as well. All states have different curricula. Districts within the same state have differing curricula. Therefore, it would be hard to say where she should be and should know by her present age.

You said that your daughter is "very bright," but you are worried about her math "skills." What about them? You never stated that she was having specific problems in the subject area. Have you noticed that she does have trouble with math? If not, why are you worried? Just because she doesn't get homework in that particular subject doesn't mean that she is lacking in that area. You can't base your child's knowledge (or lack thereof) of a subject simply by the amount of homework that she receives.
Homework is usually given to reinforce skills, and usually, it is given to reinforce the skills that offer kids the most trouble. I usually send homework for the students in the subjects that they need the most practice in. If I sent the stuff that they find to be a piece of cake, then it will just seem like busy work for them.

What other factors besides extracurricular activities are you considering for placing your child into the charter school? How are the academics at the school? As for the certification part, that is a touchy subject. I know some certified teachers that are HORRIBLE, yet I know GREAT uncertified teachers. It can go either way about certification. Considering the times that we are in now, teachers won't be allowed to remain in the class without certification. Asst. teachers (paraprofessions) are also being made to get a type of certification. All uncertified teachers that are currently teaching should be working on some sort of certification or they won't be ther long. If you feel more comfortable with your child being taught by a certified teacher, then it is your right to request that she be placed with one.

Lastly, overall, the best way to find out where your child should be is to talk to the teacher or eduactional diagnostician. You can have her tested for her abilities. If she is really very bright, she may qualify for gifted classes.

Hope that helps.

[btb87]

RedefinedDiva,

Thanks for your reply. You've given me food for thought and brought up questions that I hadn't thought of before as far as curricula differing from state to state (and even district to district, for that matter). And I apologize about not providing enough information about her "lack of math skills". I guess I thought that everyone would know exactly where she stood, just like you all attend school with her everyday!

One area that I feel she has a deficiency is in counting money; another is her addition and subtraction of two digit numbers, although she's getting better.

As far as the curriculum at the charter school, from parents that I"ve spoken with, they're very pleased with the curriculum. My husband and I spoke with a teacher there about 9 months ago and will be meeting with other administrators over the summer.

Thanks for the insight - that did help and I will continue to do my research as well as continue working with my daughter. I told her that summer will not be all fun and games, that we were going to continue to work - needless to say, she wasn't really excited about that. . .

[nikki1920]

As a mathematically challenged person, I can relate to your daughter's issues. To reinforce counting money, ask her to help while shopping (If we have $3, and these cost $1.29, etc.). The great thing about math is that it gets better with practice. Keep practicing.(I still am, and Im 26! lol) Talk with her teacher and see what she is required to know by the end of the year, and go from there. Ask a LOT of questions, but also reinforce at home. Like someone said, certification doesn't always equal a great teacher.

Just my opinion...

[Senusret I]

I, too, had problems counting money at that age.

I actually remember this clearly....I went to a school where most of the kids in class had a corner store or something. You know, the 'hood. Anyway, I had problems counting money because, like nikki1920 said, i didn't have the practice at home. Didn't have a local store to go buy candy or juice from.

I don't have any help...other than to say even smart kids have math problems sometimes.

[BirthaBlue4]

You could look up the public school curriculum online and compare it to the school where she is. The school where your child is may not have a strong math componet or your child may just have a problem with math facts, and she'll need some extra help. Sometimes money can be confusing. If you can help her practice with real money or if you go by the teeacher material store you can probably find some cardboard money including coins so she can practice making different amounts using different coins. She can also try different methods of adding and subtracting money, like firts doing the cents as a whole number, then the dollars:

$5.87+$7.77 as 87+77=164 5+7+1=13 $13.64

Some kids do better with this. (I'm in this class now, how to teach math to elemetary kids).

Hope that helps some!!!

[miss priss]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by btb87
[B]Need a little help from GC Educators. . .

At grade 2, she should know how to do simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. She should be able to count money and have a basic understanding of fractions (particularly fractional parts). Also, at this grade she should be introduced to basic algebraic concepts such as using variables. For example, if 5+2=7, then 5+ x=7 what is x?. Seems like a lot huh? But this is what ALL elementary teachers everywhere should be exposing to the children (as best as they can) in the math curricula.
Statistics shows that most elementary teachers spend very little time on the subjects of math and science, usually because they hate those areas or have a weakness in it.

But what bothers me most about your post is,"they focus a lot on reading. Most of the homework that she has is vocabulary and the like, but she doesn't really bring home much math or science homework (she did have multiplication tables for homework one day last week). I've seen some of her classroom work where they are doing some science, but no homework in these other subject areas." This is something that we as secondary math teachers see as one of the failures in the American math curricula which is there is just not enough time spent on the (mathematical) sciences.
There seems to be a overzealous approach, in all school curricula, that focuses solely on reading. I think reading is a great tool. However, how we teach reading does not effectively address the issues such as comprehension and vocabulary to name a few. Most teachers read to the students and not with the students. (This happens in both public and private school settings. ) Why? Because we don't have enough parents reinforcing reading with their children. Keyword: parents. You are the key. If you think she is not recieving enough more than likely she probably isn't. Your husband is right work with her more---both you and your child will reap the benefits later.

Sidebar: There are some elementary teachers (certified and uncertified) that work very hard. Thumbs up to you!

[btb87]

Miss Priss,

This is what I'm looking for! Thanks soooo much for this information, and thank the rest of you for your answers as well. BirthaBlue4, I had to look at that equation twice myself! This stuff is getting more and more difficult.

I work at a community college, and I see the results of those that "hate math". The students that I deal with primarily can't function without a calculator, and wonder why they have to take prepatory classes because "I was in honors algebra"! But they can't do basic math. Then they put off their math, but come in wanting to graduate now, and is there any way around me taking this math class, etc., etc., etc! I want to prevent this from happening to my daughter - I want her to like math like her mom! Okay, maybe I'm asking too much, but I don't want her to be afraid of it.

Thanks again to all of you for your insight. I think I have the same fear of subjects like humanities and history that many people have about math. Of course now I wish I had paid more attention in my history classes. . .

[RedefinedDiva]

BTB87, you are welcome. A lot of people have "math anxiety" and it carries over into their adult life. For those that become teachers, they avoid that subject like the plague! All of those things that Miss Priss posted should be skills that they have in the 2nd grade. I hope that you use that as a guide. If you feel that your child is not getting that, find a new school for her.

It can't be stated enough: PARENTS ARE THE KEY!!! Your child needs all the reinforcement that they can get at home. If the school isn't sending home any work in a particular area, you should make up some worksheets yourself to help her out. Talk to your child and find out what they are working on in school. Ask her to pretend that she is the teacher and have her to teach it to you. Listen to how she explains things and describes what she learns. Let her help out with the shopping or buy little play money kits. Just play little games with her (like the Cosby Show) and have her pretend to buy some of her stuffed animals or toys from you. Let her calculate the change and stuff. There are lots of fun things to do. I'll post some websites when I get the chance.

***EDIT:***

Some websites to check out:

FunBrain

A+ Math

Cool Math

Cool Math for Kids

Math.Com

Help your Kids in Math and Science

All Math

Education for Kids


Have Fun!!

[btb87]

I can't begin to thank you all (again) for this information! RedefinedDiva, thanks so much for those websites! I'm going to put them in my favorites and check them out.

See, that's why I love my new GC family! There's always someone to help out a family member in their time of need!

(me rolling around with joy after getting the information I needed!)

[RedefinedDiva]

You are quite welcome! RD love da kids!

Add this site to the list:

Brain Pop It is SOOOOO fun!!

[BirthaBlue4]

Originally posted by btb87
BirthaBlue4, I had to look at that equation twice myself! This stuff is getting more and more difficult.

Math is going to a whole new level nowadays. We're supposed to teach these kids a bunch of stuff that confused my college class!!! That sample I gave works better mentally, but that's one of the methods we're supposed to use in the classroom. And don't even get to doing things in other bases (don't ask-lol)...

[btb87]

Originally posted by BirthaBlue4
Math is going to a whole new level nowadays. We're supposed to teach these kids a bunch of stuff that confused my college class!!! That sample I gave works better mentally, but that's one of the methods we're supposed to use in the classroom. And don't even get to doing things in other bases (don't ask-lol)...

Like I said previously, I work at a community college. We have a class called "Elementary School Mathematics" which I bet, is just like the course you're taking. Many students come in there and look at the title and wonder why they have to have College Algebra as a prerequisite because "we're just going to teach little kids how to add and subtract!" Well, with that problem you gave me, I almost had to whip out a calculator! And I don't think I'm ready for other bases yet. . .

Let me tell you, I really admire anyone that can go into the classroom and teach. I know that's not my calling, but I am working on my MS in Counseling - I'm tired of ill prepared students that don't have a clue about anything, and unfortunately, many don't know to talk with their counselors (who may or may not help) and/or teachers. I know I can't conquer the world by myself, but it's worth a try.

[BirthaBlue4]

Originally posted by btb87
Like I said previously, I work at a community college. We have a class called "Elementary School Mathematics" which I bet, is just like the course you're taking. Many students come in there and look at the title and wonder why they have to have College Algebra as a prerequisite because "we're just going to teach little kids how to add and subtract!" Well, with that problem you gave me, I almost had to whip out a calculator! And I don't think I'm ready for other bases yet. . .

Yeah thats it, its Math for Elementary School Teachers here. Its a bear, and I'm good in math!

[miss priss]

btb87 you are more than welcome!
RD good looking out with the websites, high five to you ....
Birtha, i think sometimes that they try to reinvent the wheel by making SIMPLE concepts too hard for the child to understand-and teachers too. There are methods we learned when we were young that just worked. Unfortunately, they never stick to those methods. Whip out a book from the 70's the text is so much easier to read but more importantly they taught process. ya know before the computer/calculator became popular. It is not about the process anymore. *sigh*

However, I must admit, I HATE reading and writing....sorry english folk :-(....

BTW, btb87 make sure to expose her to many word problems. Like RD said, allow her to explain to you in her own words how she understands the problem but more importantly give her real life situations for her to rationalize and reason (think about the Cosby show with Theo...sorry, I'm having a moment)
Good Luck!