What is Everyday Math? Everyday Mathematics is a curriculum created to align the Common Core State Standards and was developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP). Everyday Math includes a comprehensive curriculum and is taught to students from Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade. How is Everyday Math different from Traditional Math? Traditional math focuses on equations, numbers, and answers; often taught in a one-dimensional manner. Everyday Math follows another set of criteria and requires that students use problem solving techniques in order to solve real-world situations. This approach builds upon the student’s understanding and frequently revisits and builds upon their current mathimatical knowledge.Students are encouraged to apply different methods in coming up with the correct answer. The objective it to give elemantary school students the comptetive edge as they transition into middle school. Why is Everyday Math challenging? The Everyday Math curriculum raises the bar on what students are expected to understand and apply throughout their educational growth. This method of learning requires that students recall current and past knowledge and understanding of mathimatical concepts, while adding to and building their knowledge base. It offers several techniques to problem solving which is important in helping students find the best technique for them to implement in problem solving. Students must show that they can take a problem from the abstract lesson to a concrete answer. What is the role of Everyday Math in the classroom? Everyday Math follows a set of guidelines used in classrooms throughout the United States. These guidelines are meant to help instructors build solid foundations in math during the critical elementary school years. Students will be expected to solve more word problems related to everyday situations. They will take part in small group activities, which may include hands-on exercises. They will also be shown multiple ways to come up with the same solution for a given math problem. Contact Elite Home Tutoring for questions or information concerning Everyday Math, www.elitehometutoring.com
Education reform, “No Child Left Behind”, increased testing and requirements for students. Every country is seeking their competitive edge and educating future generations seems to be the key. Young minds are daily bombarded with tests and decisions regarding their future. Preschool parents are making choices about education and beginning foreign language in preparation for college. Though it’s true, you cannot begin too early in presenting a palette to these young minds, ready to absorb, it should be considered that these are individuals and have their own bent toward one subject or another. Each student will be “better at” and more inclined to certain subjects. “I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” – Albert Einstein It is our responsibility as parents and educators to supply knowledge in the subjects students desire as well as finding creative ways to teach common core subjects. The problem with a system is that it teaches one style to the majority. But there are some who learn differently and it should be every educator’s goal to teach each child how they learn, not how to learn. “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” – Albert Einstein Our future doesn’t lie in the hands of what the next generation learns but in the passion they have to follow their dreams. For born out this passion is an excellence in learning that can be surpassed by no educational reform. It is time to begin dreaming again. Society needs creatively thinking minds to solve the problems of the future. But if the system of education puts every child into a box that conforms their thinking to memorization and certain core knowledge, we as a a society risk the rise of a generation who cannot think for themselves. “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” ― Socrates. When students are allowed to orient their own learning, something wonderful occurs. They learn to discover what is beautiful to them and uncover its truths. When knowledge is sought, it blossoms into wisdom. Educators and caregivers, the challenge to you is to find each student’s gifting and nourish the object of their attention with questions and theories and allow them the freedom to discover truth for themselves. This world is big and meant to be explored.
What is Common Core Math? States used to be able to set academic standards for math, which varied greatly from state to state. With Common Core Standards public schools must follow guidelines, or standards. Common Core Math is based on concepts and skills that a student must apply in order to solve real-world math problems. These standards have been implemented from kindergarten through high school (K-12) in more than 42 states. They serve as benchmarks to determine how prepared students are for life in college and in the workforce. The ultimate goal is to make U.S. students more adept at solving real-world problems and be more competitive in the workforce. How is Common Core different from Traditional Math? Common Core Standards require students to use reasoning in real-life situations, whereas traditional math was equation and calculation based. With Common Core math, students must have a solid understanding of the concepts involved in reaching their answers. With traditional math, the student could simply remember tables and memorize answers. Traditional math is about getting the correct answer, whereas Common Core math requires students to demonstrate their deeper knowledge and ability on how they arrived to the correct answer. What is the best way to transition a student into Common Core when they are used to traditional math? Since students must demonstrate a greater and deeper understanding of math concepts used in real-world situations, there is more pressure on them to actually understand the concepts rather than memorizing the answer and coming up with the correct solution. They must now demonstrate their understanding of methods used in reaching the correct answer. This has become a challenge for students and teachers and puts more pressure on them. School books are aligned to these current standards but students still have difficulty applying what they have learned in the real-world problem sections. The best way to transition a student into Common Core math standards is by hiring a professional tutor who is educated in these standards. Contact Elite Home Tutoring for questions or information concerning Common Core Math: www.elitehometutoring.com
