ductapejewpirate (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

As a future math teacher (the screen name is old...apologies for its classlessness) this really really irks me. I had heard rumors that they were teaching math like this. I cannot emphasize how much I believe calculators have become a crutch for our society! This is SO irksome!At the third presidential debate it was brought up by the moderators that we spend more per capita per student than any other country yet we're doing worse than a LOT of countriesMaybe this should say something??

ElliotJohnNovak (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I was born in 1989 in Minnesota. I learned the "old way" of multiplication, but the same way of division that she showed. Only after I had learned the first way of multiplying did I ever encounter the other methods (lattice, etc). Props to Ms. McDermott for using her voice and education to speak about something she's passionate about.

Sagittaire888 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

What is with these people who invented that complicated nonsense? Cluster? Partial Products?!Inefficient, crude, pitifully orchestrated, and TIME WASTING, is all I can say on those methods. No wonder kids grow stupider every day.Welcome to Academia.

meNtor890 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

My teachers use to ask if we understand what they teach us, we say No when we don't. Then they explain more and ask what's the problem and then they explain the problem. I don't live in the US btw ;)The first division method and multiplication methods are the best

naloff (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

WHY!Washington state education is so messed up. Not only do we focus education to pass the most ridiculous standardized test, the WASL, but we prepare students with over complicated crap like this!

calebcjh86 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

lol in the end Singaporean education is still the best

windslasherx (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

man I'm dizzy now... @_@

krononomikon (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I was thinking the same thingwouldn't you think, though, that the first method should be the most efficient, and then other methods taken after in order to help children who are having troubles? or perhaps just using other algorithms or clusters as a starting point to getting children to understand? what'd be awesome is if teachers were like "does anyone understand this?" during class and then work with the kid in front of the class, which would help everyone

cab52842 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I have taught Everyday Mathematics for years. You are correct when you say the "program" doesn't give sufficient practice time to master anything. But the important thing to remember is the state sets standards that districts must follow. One such standard in Texas is multiplication mastery. Also,common sense must prevail. The alternate methods are stepping stones to the sometimes confusing "standard" algorithms! Lattice is an excellent 2,000 year-old stepping stone, and it helps kids learn

sleeper2345 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Why?