Math in Schools
Berkeley Parents Network >
Reviews >
K-12 Schools >
Math in Schools
June 2009
My daughter is starting middle school this fall. She's always been an excellent student,
with particular strengths in language and art. However, her math skills are good - not
extraordinary as are some of her other skills, but more than adequate.
However, a couple of weeks ago she said to me ''I'm not that good at math.'' I know this
isn't true, and that she is comparing her math skills to her reading and writing, but I'm
concerned that at 11 years old she's at an age where self-doubt in girls about math
abilities is reinforced, even with teachers who make an effort not to do this. I'm searching
for resources that will help shore up her confidence about math. She doesn't need a tutor,
just to know that she CAN do this and her skills and abilities are fine. I looked at the
books by Danica McKellar, but they are designed to make math fun for girls who are into
celebrities, hair and makeup, etc. - things in which my daughter has no interest. Does
anyone know of other ways to build confidence in this area? We live in San Francisco but
are usually in Berkeley on the weekends.
Don't need another mathphobe
I am a soon to be retired math and physics tutor. In spite of saying
she doesn't need a tutor, that is the single best way to inspire
her. A good tutor's main job is not to improve her grades (most of
my students are b+ or A students even before they come to me), it is
to make the student confident in their math abilities and to inspire
them, and hopefully even make math their favorite subject. One-on-one
tutoring is in any case so much more powerful than ANYTHING a
classroom teacher, public or private, can do for a student sitting in
a room with 20 or 35 other students. You seem to be looking for
books to do this complicated, difficult task. The Danica books you
mentioned are the only ones out there that I have seen that are
somewhat in the direction you are looking but it seems you don't feel
they are right. Frankly, I just can't see a kid that age getting
inspired by yet another book. She needs someone sitting right next
to her sowing her that she can be the top math student in her class.
There is nothing more inspiring than being very good at what you do.
When other students start coming to her in class to ask, ''Wait a
minute, how do you do that again?'' she will soar.
One other thought; almost all of my top math students say they are
not good at math (in spite of their A's). I ask them why they think
that when it is so obviously not true and they always say, ''Because
it's so hard.'' That's because math IS hard. It is not some candy-
ass subject like English or history where the biggest challenge is to
try to stay awake as you read about the dusty battles of Napolean.
In math you must USE your brain and actually THINK. And this is a
hard thing to do. You can almost feel your brain in pain as you try
to work through a problem. So tell her, just because math seem hard,
doesn't mean at all that she is not good at math, it just means that
even for smart people, math is hard.
My daughter was the same way, but later on, in high school. I kept
reinforcing that she was a great problem-solver and some math is more
interesting, complex, or challenging than other types. We forget that
there are all types of math (arithmatic, geometry, algebra,
trigonometry, calculus, word problems, etc.). I think if it's broken
down into smaller bits and she sees that she likes or feels more
comfortable doing some types, and the others are not as easy to grasp
for her, it's not like she's not that good at ALL of it... It's like
learning a language. She's young and has not yet discovered all the
areas of math. Some people grasp the concepts and some have a harder
time of it. Some have that kind of head and some don't. I don't think
it has to do with gender at all. I think it also depends on the
teachers that you get. So, keep in touch with your daughter's math
teachers over the coming years.
PS I was not very confident in math when I was young and now I see
that part of it was because I didn't have any guidance as to how to
LOOK at it. I'm a great PROBLEM-SOLVER, love puzzles and playing pool,
and that's what's it partly about, but no one one really broke it down
that way. I also had an awful foundation...'nuf said...
Good luck!
anon
From my perspective, it is nice just to piont out things around you
and your daughter that are math related, and see how they help show
us things or help us make decisions.
From the ''price per oz.'' on the shelf labels at the grocery store, to
graphs and charts in newspapers, to food labels, to cool diagrams and
hands o activities at science museums (Cal Academy, Larence Hall of
Science, Exploratorium). Lots of hands on physics has a huge math
component. So just noticing and discussing a little bit may help her
feel more comfort with math concepts, or see how she already uses
them.
Perhaps she would like to have a more instant recall of basic math
facts (i.e., times tables). Ask her if she wants help with that,
then you two can work together on quizing each other this summer.
Knowing the times tables inside and out can make the rest of math
much less stressful, at her grade level.
Consider what tyope of math she did this last year in school. Many
folks are better at spacial stuff than they are at equations (or the
other way around). If this is the case, you can encourage her and
remind her that everyone has strengths, and each of us has to work
hard on something.
The last bit: if an honors math track is offered where she goes to
middle school, ask her if she is interested, and if she isn't, don't
push her into it. It is likely best, in my opinion, that she excell
in the regluar class than bomb in an excellerated class. Her near-
term success, may set the stage for future growth i skills, and at
least, won't squash her self-image more.
Mom
One of the things I noticed is that the girl's basketball team of
which my daughter was a part in middle school was also composed of top
students. They usually did their math together before the game, and it
was *fun* because they all cared. They were all very competitive which
meant they competed in math as well as basketball, but were a team so
they helped each other on homework. So look for a supportive ''team''
that values studies (avoid solitary sports like track - you're looking
for team support) - it can be sports like basketball or perhaps a club
like drama or art or language (you'd be surprised at how smart some of
these kids are - memorizing lines or constructing sets is hard work
and takes skill). Good luck.
Lynne
Three authors
Wendy Lichtman: ''Secrets, Lies, and Algebra,'' which also has a sequel
(I read the first, my daughter read both and loved them); a middle
school girl sees the world in terms of math, and tries to solve a
mystery. Set in North Oakland/Berkeley, so the locations are fun to
read & the classroom part is right in the details.
Marilyn Burns: ''Math for Smarty Pants,'' and a number of other
recreational math books.
Theoni Pappas: Books for kids (and adults) about math topics and history.
You could ask Diesel to order the books for you, or go up to Lawrence
Hall of Science and see if they are in their bookstore (the best
bookstore in the east bay for math/science books for kids and teachers.)
You could also check out some of the math games (SET is my favorite;
or Mastermind); and ''Family Math'' a book that LHS puts out with games
for families to play.
math teacher
My middle-school-aged daughter (now in 6th grade) LOVES the Expanding Your
Horizons
Conferences. If you want to encourage your girl's self confidence and love of
the STEM fields
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) -- these workshops are for them
(also some
have parent workshops). My daughter enjoyed the one at SF State so much (her
first
conference), she then went to the DVC and Mills College conferences. We'll be
signing up for
more. Sign up early because they fill up fast!
Brenda
March 2008
My son will be a freshman this fall. He current takes
Algebra 1 now. I would like him who complete Geometry this
summer and take Algebra 2 in the 9th grade. I need some
advices.
Middleschool Parent
It depends on how much your son likes math. IF he LOVES math and IF
you have him do geometry either in a high school or at ATDP, it's a
good idea. It also might be a good idea if he is pretty sure he wants
to go into engineering or a hard science. Otherwise, you may be
putting him in a position of taking more math than he really wants to
take as selective colleges will expect him to take math each year of
high school.
Judith, former math dep't head BHS
I think that if your child is motivated to do this ( or any
educational activity) run with it unless it is totally
inappropriate. Actually both my kids ended up taking
geometry in 8th grade and so did honors Algebra 2/trig in
9th and did fine. Good luck!
jenny
To add to my last message.
If your son is not motivated and it is coming from YOU ONLY
I would not do it. As they get to be teens I think they
need to know that their parents trust their judgement on an
increasing number of things
Jenny
Nov 2007
Is anyone who has a child who is gifted in math pleased with
how their school is teaching their child math? What is your
school? What are they doing that you like? How old is your
child? Has anyone found any non-school programs that they like
teaching math to gifted kids? THANKS!
Math Mom
For kids age 9 to 18 who love math, check out the Berkeley Math
Circle at http://mathcircle.berkeley.edu/
It meets every Tuesday evening at the UC/Berkeley Math
department, and each 2 hour sessions is run by professional
mathematicians - professors, researchers, and grad students.
Kids meet others who love math and learn novel mathematics ...
and get challenged by novel math problems. Last week was the
math of a Rubik's cube; coming up are sessions on geometry and
Pascal's triangle.
The best part of the math circle is that nobody will understand
everything from a Tuesday night, but everyone comes away excited!
The Berkeley Math Circle is one of the finest in the country; few
other communities have a program in the same league.
Cliff
Bentley's lower school (grades 1-8) has a great math program,
especially for middle schoolers, who take two years of Algebra
(7th & 8th) from two extraordinary teachers, Saul Gerry & Nick
Grener. Bentley isn't for every child, but it is fabulous for
the academically gifted child, especially those who excel in
math.
mom of gifted child
Anyone with a gifted child should know about this web site:
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/gifted_101.htm
You'll find lots of suggestions that are specific to math, and all kinds of other
resources, too.
Lorelei
I've looked at many private schools (and checked out the
Piedmont public schools) since my older son is mathematically-
inclined and the curriculum at the private school he attended
until 2nd grade was dismal and not challenging at all for him.
In my opinion, there's no other school that can teach math as
thoroughly as Berkeley Montessori School (where our kids have
been enrolled for the past 6 years). While other schools teach
children how to get the right answers (with schools boasting
superior math curriculum teaching FASTER ways, often shortcuts,
to the right answers), BMS teaches math in a way that gives
students a really deep understanding -- the students truly
internalize the math concepts (what's behind the concepts, how
to expand on them, etc.). The challenging math curriculum and
the superior teaching tools and method are the main reasons why
we came to BMS (although, now that we're here, we realize that
the amazing social curriculum is also a boon).
Another avenue for you.....somewhere in Palo Alto, Johns
Hopkins University holds a math summer camp for gifted
children. I've never researched it because it's far away and
our kids are getting such a rich curriculum at our school. I
can find out, though, since our Middle School math teacher has
taught there for the past few summers -- please let me know and
I can ask her for you.
Good luck,
Agnes
June 2007
Hello,
Our son is in a high-ranking public elementary school and his 3rd grade
teacher
just reconfirmed for us that he is several grades ahead in math and has
a great
interest in science. (He is GATE identified, but that doesn't mean
much - if anything
in our school).
We are beginning to wonder what type of middle school we should
consider. At this
point, we are open to public and private, but not necessarily to
homeschooling (I
admire homeschoolers....I just don't think it is a lifestyle for us).
What school in the east bay would you recommend for a child who loves
to learn,
particularily math and science?
thank you in advance
My sixth grade child, also very advanced in math, has had a great
experience at Berkeley Montessori School (BMS). The
individualized approach and curriculum allows children to explore
interests such as math, as far as they want to go. The incredible
teachers encourage them and will go out of their way to meet
their needs, not only academic, but also social and emotional.
And my child has had great peers with similar interests and
abilities to share this passion with. My child still loves to
learn and loves going to school (not true of friends at more
traditional schools). I would encourage you to check out the BMS
middle school at http://www.bmsonline.org.
Mom of a math child
Black Pine Circle School (http://www.bpcweb.net) in Berkeley
has one of the strongest middle school math programs in the
East Bay, if not the entire Bay Area. BPC students regularly
place in the top of math competitions, but even more
importantly, math is valued at BPC and the school works
hard so that every middle schooler learns math at the
appropriate level for that individual student.
There are also after school math clubs that middle school
students at BPC may join for extra math activities.
BPC also hosts the ''Making Math Real'' program
(http://www.makingmathreal.org), which is focused on
different ways children learn math.
As for science, the Director of BPC has a Marine Biology degree,
and one of the middle school science teachers has a Ph.D.
Science is highly valued at BPC. Due to space limitations,
there is not currently a full-blown science lab, but
the school is looking into options for further developing
their science program. Still, they are creative with the
space they do have. For example, just yesterday the
first grade class dissected squids with the help of the
lower school science specialist.
I have two children at Black Pine Circle School and highly
recommend BPC for your child who is advanced in math and
loves science. Check it out; it might be a good fit!
BTW, BPC also has very strong programs in art, music, and drama
throughout all grades (K-8), so there are plenty of creative
outlets as well.
- Sharon
If you live in Berkeley and your child is in middle school, I'd
recommend the honors classes in the BUSD middle schools.
Generally those kids do best in Honors Math at BHS -- maybe
because they've learned how to learn in a larger class, or
because the public school curriculum is more comprehensive. There
are also a number of strong summer programs beginning with
Lawrence Hall of Science, and ATDP; COSMOS (through the UCs) for
older kids. Martin Gardner's books of puzzles/recreational math
are good for gifted students. Try the LHS bookstore for
supplemental materials.
a math teacher
Mar 2004
I'm seeking math options for a middle schooler. He is
currently a 7th grader getting an A+ in 8th grade algebra
at his private middle school. Next year he will stay at
the same school for 8th grade, but his teacher has stated
that his math class will consist entirely of independent
study, with at most 1 class period/week with her. Aside
from the fact that I don't want to pay tuition for my son
to teach himself math, my son is not happy about the idea
of independent study. It was offered this year and he
declined. I also think he will rarely get his 1 class
period/week with the teacher. I'm pursuing Honors
Geometry at Berkeley High as a possibility and was
wondering if there were any other options for him? Any
ideas? Thank you
regarding the gifted 7th grade math student -- my daughter
is also a 7th grader earning an A+ in 8th grade honors
algebra -- her teacher has recommended honors geometry at
berkeley high for her next year -- i'd be happy to share
the limited info i have with you -- you can e-mail me.
This is in response to the mother who is seeking ''Math
Options '' for her middle school son:
A very viable option for your son would be to enroll him
in a math class at your local community college. Although
we home school our high school age teens, I know of
several middle school age children who, with the
permission of the instructor take college classes. Another
benefit is that credit and/or AP standing can be received
and applied to your son's transcript.
Wendy
Jan 2004
My 7th grader is bored and frustrated with his 7th grade
math class. The teacher allows him to work independently
with another child because they have tested out of the
regular curriculum. But he says this just means that they
get to work ahead in the book by themselves. He came home
saying, ''Mom, I don't like to teach myself math.'' Any ideas
or recommendations of classes or tutors? I should deal with
the school, but I think that is unlikely to get me any
results in time to save his love for math. I have looked
through the list of tutors on the web-site, but I'm not
sure that a traditional tutor is what he needs. Thanks for
any suggestions.
You might try looking into the Educational Program for
Gifted Youth (EPGY), a distance learning program run by
Stanford University. My son started taking math classes
through EPGY 3 years ago when we gave up trying to
persuade his teachers to supplement his work and tutors
didn't work out. He enjoyed the challenge and as a result
was able to take high school level algebra as a 7th grader
and geometry in 8th grade. The big downside to the
program is its expense, which is $450 a quarter. Another
resource you should check out is the Academic Talent
Development Program (ATDP) summer school run out of the
Education Department at UC Berkeley. They have a variety
of classes including math classes for this age group in
their secondary division. My son has gone to ATDP for 2
summers now and really enjoys it, because, unlike EPGY, it
involves a live math class full of motivated, talented
students who all enjoy math! ATDP also offers financial
aid. Both ATDP and EPGY have great websites. Maybe have
a look.
math mom
February 2003
I would like recommendations for East Bay middle schools that have
excellent math and science depts., and offer advanced classes in
these areas for gifted children.
Recommendations received:
Albany Middle School
Bentley
Black Pine Circle
King Middle School (2)
Longfellow Middle School
May 2001
My daughter is doing very well in 6th grade math and would like to move
on to algebra rather than taking 7th grade math next year. Have other
parents had this experience? How did it work out?
I'm not sure I understand your question. But if your child is being
offered honors algebra as opposed to regular algebra, I'd look at it
closely. Secondhand observation of one friend of my child's showed
that it was very hard. If it's a choice between pre-algebra and
algebra, and your child's teacher feels comfortable with that, that
course seemed appropriate for my child who had to work hard but not
too hard. Also, drop a line to Neil Smith and ask him for a name of a
7th grade math teacher to talk to. He's very responsive. My student
has Ms. Mukerjee (sp?) who is very enthusiastic. You might want to
talk to her.
Regarding a 7th grader skipping 7th grade math and doing 8th grade algebra. My
daughter, now in 9th grade at BHS, did algebra in 7th grade (geometry in 8th and now
algebra 2 in 9th). At this point I feel it was the right thing for her, and she agrees.
She is alittle nervous about the progression and taking higher levels in the next few
years as her other classes become more complicated and the work load increases
dramatically (with Latin and other AP possibilities). BUT--she would have been very
bored and I wondered if she would have begun to lose interest in math. She has one of
the most difficult math teachers and does work hard but is doing quite well. I think
one has to look ahead to the path your child would be on and think about the rest of
her/his course load. Also going to BHS in 8th grade for math was workable because she
went with a small cohort group from Willard so the bus issue, being on campus, etc was
an ok adjustment for her.I don't like pushing kids, particularly teens who have so much
to struggle with as they grow, but I think in our case it was a good decision. Think
about your child as a whole and all the other factors. Good luck.
Karen
I am a ninth grader at Berkeley High. I skipped up to Algebra in seventh
grade. It was difficult to be in a class where I was the youngest, but once I
was used to it, I did OK in the class, although sometimes it was a struggle.
I would recommend Algebra if your child is good at picking up new concepts
very quickly and doesn't have social issues about being in a class with all
eighth graders.
My daughter skipped 7th grade math last year and took Algebra. This
year she's taking Honors Geometry early in the day at Berkeley High,
then returning to King Middle School for the rest of her
classes. She's doing well now, but there were two problems in the 7th
grade:
1) At first, she had to do a lot of catching up, because every one
else had pre-Algebra and she hadn't - learning new terminology and
such. That settled down after a while.
2) At the end of the year, she earned a B, which did not qualify her
to take Geometry at Berkeley High. (She needed an A.) In order to
qualify, she had to take a scheduled test at Berkeley High, which she
did well on, so she got to take Geometry.
The problem is, that if she had not passed the test, we were told she
would have to take Algebra all over again in eighth grade, because
Math is required and King doesn't have anything more advanced to
offer. That would have been embarrassing and disappointing for my
daughter, and I fear it would have turned her off to math. I question
whether it's a good idea to take Algebra in 7th grade if you run the
risk of doing well and still having to take the entire year over
again.
Beverly
Sept 1999
I need advice about resources for mathematically gifted children. My
son, age 8, lives and breathes math. At age 4, he could count to 120 by
by 6's, convert feet to inches, and determined that my husband, then age
40-1/4, was "37 and 13 quarters." Last week, he calculated that "10 to
the google seconds is 10 to the 86th millennia" (or something like that).
My husband tells me that is roughly right; I confess it is a bit beyond me.
My son is bored silly in school, and I am wondering: (1) what can I
legitimately expect (demand?) of the public school district in the way of
enrichment; and (2) what resources are there outside the school system for
a kid like this? Thanks for any input.
Stanford offers a program for gifted youth. Take look at their website
for detailed information.
http://www-epgy.stanford.edu/
I think enrichment programs are at the discretion of the school
district. You need to contact the principal or district and ask them
about testing your child and what programs are available. Someone
told me that all school districts are given money from the state to
establish programs for "gifted" students.
Look at the following web site: http://www.gtworld.org/index.html.
They have a mailing list which may be able to give you more details.
The state of California's Education Code is at the web site below. See
Chapter 8. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.html/edc_table_of_contents.html
Good luck.
March 1998
At what age do kids learn their times tables these days? Or maybe
I should ask, at what age should they know them? I know some kids
in 5th and 6th grade who have been taught to count on their fingers,
and that's where they're still at. I'm shocked, but maybe for
no good reason? Carol
Re: Times tables - my son is in the 3rd grade at LeConte Elementary
here in Berkeley and he is learning multiplication, although they
do not seem to be learning the times tables per se. I distinctly remember
learning them myself in the 4th grade. I'm toying with the idea of
teaching him the times tables this summer, as a fun thing to do in the
car. Chanting the times tables is almost the same as chanting a poem, to me.
Dianna
At school my daughter learned the times tables (through ten) in third
grade. At the beginning of fourth grade they reviewed the times tables and
extended them through 12. (It's possible they began the process during
second grade, but I don't remember.)
Susan
Our kids were drilled in facts (+,-,x, division) in 4th grade. They had 1
page sheets of each type which they kept testing themselves on to get their
time down (and kept graphs of their progress.)
Barbara
Regarding learning multiplication tables. Mastery (memorization) in 3rd
grade with review in 4th grade. It was a class/home project to learn
addition and multiplication math facts in third grade.
Kathryn
My son is in the 5th grade and he is not very familiar with the
multiplication tables yet although he does know it. He still needs to
think a little (and I'm sure do some adding in his head) on it. However, I
learned the multiplication tables in Taiwan as a first grader and was
definitely able to give the full multiplication table (up to 9's) by the
end of 3rd grade. Since I was definitely anywhere among the top of my
class then, I know that children are "capable" of knowing it by start of
4th grade.
I think the educational system here tries to avoid memorization (maybe a
little too much in my opinion). I think at some point, the kids just have
to use memorization/repetition to memorize things. We try to do alot of
math with our son at home. We do try to help him to do some repetition in
writing the multiplication tables and continue to review with him. At the
same time, we try to let him use it on a daily basis whenever we can such
as grocery shopping at the local store, or even when he buys candy with his
own money.
Diane
Like Diane, I learned my times tables (up to 9's) at age 6.
My mom and I just sat down together and chanted them,
with a little cheat sheet with nine columns of decreasing length,
organized by "1 x _", "2 x _", etc, to "9 x 9".
The memorization certainly didn't hurt my later learning
of the concepts behind multiplication; in fact they probably
helped me see the patterns that "times-ing" makes,
better than I would have otherwise . (I remember little
diagrams with squares made out of dots; and also noticing how
there were nine "1 x _" facts, eight "2 x _" facts, and
later I realized this had something to do with commutativity....)
I think it's not a bad thing to have these facts
in your head without having to punch them into a calculator;
this way you're better able to tell when a typo or whatever
has been made and the "output" is way off in the wrong neighborhood.
Not that memorization solves everything... later my father tried
to teach me algebra by rote, which is kind of inappropriate.
But for the times tables early memorization really does a good job.
Joyce
Home |
Reviews |
Advice |
Members |
Post a Message
Join BPN |
Help |
What's New |
Search |
Contact Us
Last updated: Aug 9, 2009
Copyright © 1996-2009 Berkeley Parents Network
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.