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[-]Do any New York City private schools use Everyday Math? Which ones? Is it a strong program?
32 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreThis. My kid was a top student in elementary school, aced the EDM curriculum and all tests, and managed to learn very little that helped him once he got to a middle school that taught math properly. EDM is a terrible curriculum. It seems to be designed to "teach" kids who will be staffing the fast-food restaurants of the future.
[ Reply | More ]ITA with you. FWIW, the same slow approach to teaching basic math is happening in France too, and with the same dismal results in the latest PISA results (both country have mediocre scores, to say the least). Some prominent scientists have tried to take a stand there, but with little results. So yes, heavy tutoring at home here. We intentionally didn't voice our concerns to the teacher, by fear that it would translate into more mind-numbing stupid homework. DC gets done with his school homework in 15 min max, and then the real work can start. He loves it.
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For all the hate Everyday Math gets, my 6 yo does seem to understand addition and subtraction, including with multiple-digit numbers, as well as bar graphs, using coins and dollar bills to make amounts of money, symmetry, shapes, etc. What else do you really want for a kid that age?
[ Reply | More ]Everything that gets annoying after third grade. Because basically the curriculum is repeated every year.
[ Reply | More ]Eh, we had fractions and integers every single year from 4th through 7th grades when we were kids, too. This isn't exactly a new issue.
[ Reply | More ]OR- your response is part of the problem, and this is largely the fault of the schools and the publishers. They know that it sort of resembles how we learned - it is not like they are specifically teaching incorrect information- 2 plus 2 is still 4. But they also KNOW (and if not, are idiots, which is certainly true for many math-phobic teachers/admins) that this is not a good curriculum, but hope to "trick" the parents into not noticing, and the ones that do care, will simply tutor at home or self-teach, so there will still be a core of high achievers that the teachers can use to rebut critics.
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Just wait, by the 4th grade when you realize that your dc hasn't learned anything new since, you'll hate it.
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Everyday Math is being phased out of New York Public Schools! (not sure about private)
[ Reply | More ]The first OR really doesn't get it. Everyday Math is ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!!! It's utterly ridiculous that this is being blamed for poor math -- if your dc isn't learning what he or she needs, he isn't good at math!!! He is going to have problems learning math no matter what! Kids who weren't talented at math ALWAYS had issues when they get to algebra and advanced math -- yes, even those taught via the beloved Singapore. Geez, 70 kids come into NEST middle school, and are quite often BETTER than kids who have been there since K, despite learning via EM. Do you know why? Because they are good at math! Sure, pay millions for a new math curriculum, but there will always be issues.
[ Reply | More ]OR - no, I get it completely. Fundamental lack of computational fluency and over-reliance on calculators create a permanent stumbling block to learning higher math, and certainly to fluency/speed. And NO, you do not "get it"- just because some gifted students still ultimately thrive in this system (and/or, as is more often the case, dedicated parents who help the child with tutoring and/or self-teaching), this is simply a testament to the students and their families, not a vindication of the system.
[ Reply | More ]Are you kidding me? My dc almost NEVER used a calculator through elementary school using EM! What are you talking about? Posters like you do not seem to understand EM and I doubt you really have a kid who was taught via the system. Yes, the one disadvantage is that EM "spirals", so keeps introducing topics over and over, which arguably can be boring for fast learners. But your idea that kids don't learn is rather silly. EM gets kid to understand how numbers work instead of just teaching them rote ways of adding, subtracting, multiplying, etc. But some kids not as good in math need those rote ways of learning, I agree. EM works better for kids good at math.
[ Reply | More ]You've just validated the whole argument for getting away from EDM. Most kids aren't naturally great at Math and do need the exercises and the drills. I have one DS who is a natural at Math, learned EDM with the worst 3rd grade teacher and still got a perfect score on the State test. My younger DS needs more time learning Math and EDM has been a disaster for him, and he has a good 3rd grade teacher. I'm nervous to see his results on the State test. I had to enroll him in a Math enrichment program just so he would be prepared for the exam and for 4th grade.
[ Reply | More ]Perhaps, but then you'd have the same argument about the kill and drill math tests harming kids who ARE good at math and are forced to learn it one way only. (Everyday Math gives kids all kinds of ways to solve problems and they can pick what works best for them.) I'm not saying the EM doesn't have problems, but all programs do, and I don't know that it's so much worse than any other.
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np. So in other words, EDM isn't good for kids who are weak in math, because there's not enough drilling and rote methodology. And it's not good for kids who ARE naturally good at math, because the repetitive, spiraling curriculum is too slow and boring. So, let's see... WHO, exactly, is it good for??? This is a perfect example of why we need to bring tracking back.
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[-]My 7 year old son doesn't enjoy hanging out with his grandmother because they speak different languages. My mom is very hurt and I need to be able to leave him with my mom. Any advice?
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Can she get involved with a hobby he likes (card collecting? wii? football?). A common interest might help. He could try learning a bit of the language too? No?
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Have your mom speak to him like he understands her in the other language. He'll pick it up. Have him speak in English. She'll understand him. I was very close to my grandparents and never spoke their language. Assure him that she understands him and help him understand her - practice by only speaking the other language to him at home.
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[-]I had recently moved from my native Ghana to a fine townhouse in the upper east side of Manhattan with my dd to work at a consulting firm. With my complex schedule I need to find a reliable sitter for my dd. I have received several applications but am rather skeptical of hiring a white woman because of the stereotypes that I have heard in this country. I have heard they are lazy, quite uneducated, and lack proper social skills. Useful advice would be greatly appreciated.
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I personally believah thatah US Americans are unable to do so becausah some people out there in our nation don't have maps. I believe that our education, like, such as, South Africa and the Iraq, everywhere, like, such as people over here in America need to do so for our education over here in the US.
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I hope you are prepared to deal with all the stereotypes as they relate to Africans as well, since you seem so ready to burden others with them. But to answer your question, if this is a legit OP to begin with, our experience with our white nanny was wonderful. She was excellent and didn't suffer fools who felt obligated to question her relationship to our DC.
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depends on the kid, but I read it to ds at 8. He loved it, but understood more when he re-read to himself at 10
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really - i think mine could "read" it but definitely wouldn't understand most of it. and then would never read it again so we are holding off
[ Reply | More ]She understood it all. I would not let her read it if it wasn't her level. I teach English and thus have raised both dcs in a very, very literature-rich environment. She reads for an hour a day. At lights out I always let dcs read with a flashlight (for fun) for another 20 minutes or so..
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[-]Help please! My 4 yo DD will not stay in her bed all night. She goes to bed fine with her brother, but always wakes up in the middle of the night and ends up in our bed. I turn on the light (she says she is scared), have tried bribes, but nothing works! When she wakes up she screams and screams, waking up brother, or just comes to our room. What suggestions do you ladies have?
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I believe she is right at the age when dreams become very vivid and scare the hec out of them. We did the following: nightlight, special lovey, I put "fairy dust", which was actually glitter on her head before she went to sleep. I told her that a fairy had given it to me it would only give her good dreams. Before we would turn the big light out, we would take a flash light and my husband would check the whole room for "monsters". Also, we hung a poster or sign on her door that was a "no monsters" sign. She will grow past it, try to help her fall back asleep in her bed when she wakes up. I would even go through the routine a second time in order to get her to relax.
[ Reply | More ]Put an air bed in your room. She can sleep on it without waking you up. My friend's ds did this routine for a few years. Now sleeps alone.
[ Reply | More ]my brother's ds did this for years. he would wake up terrified and would go into their bed. eventually, they put a mat on the floor and told hime he could come into their room but not their bed. it took him almost two years to be able to sleep by himself in his room. their ds is now 16 and you would NEVER guess that he was once afraid of the night. my advice is be patient and let her outgrow it by herself. let her come into your room if she needs to, but it is ok to keep her out of your bed if her presence bothers you. (FWIW my brother can be a bit harsh, so i was really glad that he and SIL were gentle about this)
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Does anyone send their DC to the West Side YMCA co-op nursery? We are considering applying there for our DD there when she turns 3. It would be helpful to know the tuition amount (I can't find it on their website), and what kind of experience anyone has had with the program. Thanks.
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[-]Need some advice on how to convince my wife that she is making it much more difficult to discipline our boys than it needs to be - I look to avoid unnecessary fights and simply explain the behavior that I'd like to see, and the consequence that will occur if that behavior is not met. If the request isn't followed the consequence is (calmly) enforced.
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Need some advice on how to convince my wife that she is making it much more difficult to discipline our boys than it needs to be - I look to avoid unnecessary fights and simply explain the behavior that I'd like to see, and the consequence that will occur if that behavior is not met. If the request isn't followed the consequence is (calmly) enforced.
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[-]How many playdates does your preschooler have a week? My almost 3.5yo averages about one a week. He's happy and doesn't seem to want any more. But other parents tell me their kids have multiple playdates a week, and often standing playdates with certain friends. Is he missing out on a chance to grow socially? TIA!
13 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreGet a grip. He's 3. Let him be a happy 3YO and stop worrying about what other kids are doing.
[ Reply | More ]Isn't he in preschool? IMO, that's where the most important socializing takes place. We do playdates occasionally as well, but honestly, those tend to be more for me, and I think that's the case for most Moms.
[ Reply | More ]^^^ also, even without a formal "playdate" kids that age often form impromptu friendships with whoever is at the playground, and I think that's probably an important aspect of socializing too, and one that is missed if your Mom is always scheduling who you are going to play with and when.
[ Reply | More ]OP: He is in preschool for 3 hours a day, and is happy socializing with the kids there,although he doesn't have any one particular friend or buddy yet. He also doesn't yet join in on the group imaginary games the kids play (superheros, etc). He's young for his class, and most of the kids are 4-10 months older than him, so I assumed he was just a bit young to get the group socialization things yet. Teacher isn't worried- says that at 4yo there is often a dramatic change in their socialization skills. But I can't help but wonder if he "needs" more playdates, even though he doesn't want them. Thanks for your reassurances!
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Why don't you just set up an additional playdate a week and see if he enjoys it? You might be surprised.
[ Reply | More ]OP: That's what I'm trying to figure out. Is this something that I Should do? Right now, we're happy as we are. But if its "better" for my child than letting him play with his toys at home, or at the playground/park in good weather, then I'll do it. Hmmm....
[ Reply | More ]you might be overinterpreting the term "playdate." most playdates are exactly what you are describing--being in your house playign with your toys or going to the park, only with another kid there as well. it really is much more fun for the kids most of the time. see if you can arrange to meet another family at the park/playground. the kids can play together. when dd was younger, we had a standing playdate with a friend. what that meant was every sunday we were in the city and the weather was nice we would meet at the playground.
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[-]Has anyone recently gone through the CPSE process in Nassau County Long Island? I was wondering what schools you'd recommend......
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[-]Preschool teacher told me that I should get evaluation for My 3-year-old DS for ADHD. She is also concerned about his hitting other kids. He is doing OK at home except for mildly/occasionally hitting us or his younger btother. The teacher is new and has been at the school for a week. I understand that staying concentrated at the circle time is very important but I do not want to put too much restrictions on him. Will he be a menace to the society, should I see the doctor and even direclty evaluators from the Early Intervation Program? Any insights or opinion highly appreciated!
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That is very strange. I've taught in 3's classes and no way would I rec evaluation after one week
[ Reply | More ]Same. I worked with preschool special ed and some kids DID have attentional issues as part of many other developmental problems, but after one week it'd be impossible to tell. In one week the class isn't even adjusted to the teacher and her routine and rules. Hitting is a concern, but could be happening for many reasons besides ADHD.
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No real doctor would ever ever ever diagnose a 3YO (or 4, or 5YO for that matter) w/ ADHD. Not even a 6YO - although that seems to be fairly common lately (super sad). Ignore the teacher's comment and teach your son that hitting is absolutely unacceptable. How does she handle it in the classroom?
[ Reply | More ]When you say teacher, what do you mean? Is she a daycare provider (which can mean virtually no education) or does she have an early educ degree? Either way she is wrong.
[ Reply | More ]Thank you all for the comments, much appreciated. OP here. The teacher has early education degree and has just started at Preschool of America. In her class there is a boy who has a helper from a private agency for his being a bit autistic (he looks normal to me), and she thought the similar help may be beneficial for DS. My DS loved the class two teachers ago. She and the sub-teacher were fantastic. No hitting during the time. He started hitting after they left the school. The new teacher also does not like guy-play. I am totally anti-gun and understand it's a no no more than from the perspective of political correctedness, but I think this could be the only time boys can play fantasy guns. The scary part is that the young direct...
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I just shuddered when I read this- my DS hits and pushes, seemingly more to get a rise than genuine agression but a hit is a hit. Many boys his age can't sit still and do annoying things to each other (one poured sand over the teacher's head!)...while there's nothing wrong with getting an evaluation, I can't imagine this is a big deal at this point
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[-]OMG. My dd went to a birthday party hosted by a kid from school. Small party, only three or four kids from class invited. Just got a text message from a mom whose kid was not invited to party. Said her kid found out that she was not invited to the party and is very upset. Demanded to know all about the party, including who was invited! Why is she texting me about this party? Text the parent who threw the party and please leave me out of it! This mother is a wack!
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The mother may be whack (wack?)...but so is this insistence on texting! communicate face to face, or at least over the phone; it is too hard to judge tone in email or in a text! If you do decide to talk to the mom, even to suggest she call the party mom, please don't text! And yes, I know that suggesting one "unplug" on an anonymous online board is a bit ridiculous...
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