Dear
Shannah,
Thanks for
your email.
Your
credentials are fascinating.
I am
currently planning to develop a new math program for young children.
The age
group I am targeting is 4 to 12.
I would like
to teach mathematics concepts, as opposed to arithmetic.
I would like
to ignite children's love of math, to show them the beauty in math.
Would you be
willing to participate in this project? I would love to hear your thought about
this.
All the
best,
Esther
Hello,
Esther,
Truthfully,
I am a back-to-the-basics mathematician. I have little respect for all the
"reform" mathematics going on, and view it as the math equivalent of
the whole-language fiasco in reading.
I use Saxon
math, especially the older versions, as well as Singapore math. I also believe
in teaching children to see patterns, as that helps in math reasoning. Music is
another great help to math and reading.
Cuisenaire rods are a must for every home and classroom!
Anything
that strengthens understanding of time and spatial patterns is good. I also use
colors with numbers, as a way to help children remember the number patterns in
addition and multiplication.
But I do not
believe in child-led discovery. If each generation had to reinvent the wheel,
there would be no progress. I believe in teacher-oriented learning, with
repetition, repetition, repetition!
And never
let a little one use a calculator. Understanding of numbers and their values,
adding patterns and multiplication patterns, are so important for fractions and
algebra later. The foundation must be set in the younger years.
If you have
a way to make classical mathematics more fun and understandable, I'm all in. But
if it's more of the abstract garbage being thrown at kids today, count me out.
If I can help, I'll be glad to do it.
Regards,
Shannah
http://thegodfreymethod.com
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