re: Impossible to pass tests

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It’s a practice drill.

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Which enforces my original point. Treat it like a spelling test and memorize, don't worry about the actual math part.

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Sounds like your kid is dumb. Might as well start training him to flip burgers

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They will all burn as he is adding up 2+2.

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so that teacher is saying she can do 50 multiplication problems in 30 seconds with zero errors.

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Did you see the problems? Answering those in 30 seconds should be nothing for someone that teaches it.

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When you see 6x4 do you multiply it or do you know it intuitively?

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You know them instantly. Who the frick actually adds it up in their head? That's ridiculous.

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they should be able to do in half the time of what they ask the kids for timed assessments, so that teacher is saying she can do 50 multiplication problems in 30 seconds with zero errors.

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I disagree, math facts should be as easy for a 9 year old as a 50 year old.

Like I said, I did it in 46 seconds, I doubt anyone could go thru it in 30 (non OT people, OTers are going to knock it out in 18 seconds), I only slowed down for a couple. The key is looking 1 and 2 problems down as you write an answer.

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If this is at a public school then you should have a discussion with the administration.

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No, your child should learn the math facts.

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No, your child should learn the math facts.

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They should. But they shouldn't be tested on memorization. Argue for the old ways all you want, but in the best school districts, no one teaches like that anymore. That's a math fact for you.

I think you're downplaying the time element. I can do the math. If I'm just going down the page then I can get the answer in my head easily. I might not on the other hand be able to write that fast. If I were 9 and had just learned how to write a few years ago then my dexterity with a pen/pencil would be even slower. This emphasis on time is where there's a problem. What is the value in making it a race? Shouldn't the real value be teaching and learning the material rather than learning how to speed write as fast as possible?

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They should. But they shouldn't be tested on memorization. Argue for the old ways all you want, but in the best school districts, no one teaches like that anymore. That's a math fact for you.

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Gonna disagree with you here. New isn't always better simply because it's new.

You are right in that schools have gotten away from the memorization method of teaching math, but that doesn't mean the "new way" is superior. In fact test results might indicate the opposite and we are starting to see some rumblings about that at the school board level, at least here in Arkansas.

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Argue for the old ways all you want, but in the best school districts, no one teaches like that anymore

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I have lived thru three kids and common core, and defended new ways to teach. But if you are going to perform mathematics equations, you need to be able to know basic math facts, if not it will take absolutely forever.

Go into an engineering program and not be able to know 9x8 is 72 in a millisecond.

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But they shouldn't be tested on memorization.

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But they are, my son goes to the top performing school in the area, ranked 21st in the best scools in the State. And they have timed math facts assignments with grades.

I also will attach the language from common core standards, quoted directly.

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3.OA.C.7. Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division (e.g., knowing that 8 ´ 5 = 40, one knows 40 ÷ 5 = 8) or properties of operations. By the end of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers.

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Bolded for emphasis