I recently found this article in the Seattle Times. The article highlights the new “Curriculum Focal Points” introduced in 2006 by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). This article points out the change in direction by saying, “The council’s advice is striking because in 1989 it touched off the so-called math wars by promoting open-ended problem-solving over drilling. Back then, it recommended that students as young as those in kindergarten use calculators in class.”
The new “Curriculum Focal Points” focus on mastering basic math skills. Here is what the article had to say:
“According to their report, ‘Curriculum Focal Points,’ which is subtitled ‘A Quest for Coherence,’ students, by second grade, should ‘develop quick recall of basic addition facts and related subtraction facts.’ By fourth grade, the report says, students should be fluent with ‘multiplication and division facts’ and should start working with decimals and fractions. By fifth grade, they should know the ‘standard algorithm’ for division — in other words, long division — and should start adding and subtracting decimals and fractions. By sixth grade, students should be moving on to multiplication and division of fractions and decimals. By seventh and eighth grades, they should use algebra to solve linear equations.”
To read the full article click here.
I found the article fascinating because the “new” focal points were the same ones that my math teacher focused on when I learned math. In 1989 when the so-called “fuzzy math” was introduced I was being taught at home using Math-U-See which I didn’t find “fuzzy” at all 
Let’s take a look at Math-U-See’s “focal points.”
Alpha & Beta – Addition & Subtraction
Gamma & Delta – Multiplication & Division
Epsilon & Zeta – Fractions, Decimals & Percents
Pre-Algebra & Algebra – Solving for the unknown etc.
To see the full curriculum sequence click here.
I just found the correlation to be interesting. Math-U-See’s method for teaching math for over 15 years is what the NCTM is just now recommending.
What do you think?
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, one of the reasons I homeschool is because my children aren’t guinea pigs.
Well, OK, they’re MY guinea pigs.
Yes, one of the reasons I homeschool is because my children aren’t guinea pigs.
Well, OK, they’re MY guinea pigs.
Hey,
I just found your blog page. I’m starting to investigate Math U See for my 2nd grader, but I’m really really nervous about starting a new program without really knowing if it’s going to be a good fit. Do you know of any of the blogs on your roll where the parents talk freely about using several programs without success and then switching to this one and it being a success?
I’m wringing my hands here!
Thanks for any help…
Hey,
I just found your blog page. I’m starting to investigate Math U See for my 2nd grader, but I’m really really nervous about starting a new program without really knowing if it’s going to be a good fit. Do you know of any of the blogs on your roll where the parents talk freely about using several programs without success and then switching to this one and it being a success?
I’m wringing my hands here!
Thanks for any help…
Hi Megan,
A great resource for you would be the Math-U-See users group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mus-users/
There are over 2,500 Math-U-See Users who answer questions just like yours.
Hi Megan,
A great resource for you would be the Math-U-See users group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mus-users/
There are over 2,500 Math-U-See Users who answer questions just like yours.
The sad part is that their decision may change again in a few years.
The sad part is that their decision may change again in a few years.
It is because of the NCTM’s 1989 recommendations that the state of math programs in public school in the U.S. is so bad! I guess this means that the NCTM has finally realized the error of their ways! I did a lot of research on this back in October and November and what I found was appalling! Some school districts and states are starting to realize that they have failed their children in math over the last 15 years and are making changes. But it’s too late for a generation of people! The textbook companies love it though, because as districts change the standards to match the new NCTM “focal points”, they will be looking for new textbooks – again. And it also means that many districts who can’t afford new textbooks will continue to teach the “fuzzy math” even though it is proven to not work!
It was a result of my research and findings about math in the U.S. that led me to Math-U-See. I’m so glad I figured this out my first year of homeschooling while the boys are still young (3rd grade twins)! It’s easier to correct the problem at a young age. I had never realized before that math was being taught so differently from the way I was taught in the 70′s and 80′s.
It is because of the NCTM’s 1989 recommendations that the state of math programs in public school in the U.S. is so bad! I guess this means that the NCTM has finally realized the error of their ways! I did a lot of research on this back in October and November and what I found was appalling! Some school districts and states are starting to realize that they have failed their children in math over the last 15 years and are making changes. But it’s too late for a generation of people! The textbook companies love it though, because as districts change the standards to match the new NCTM “focal points”, they will be looking for new textbooks – again. And it also means that many districts who can’t afford new textbooks will continue to teach the “fuzzy math” even though it is proven to not work!
It was a result of my research and findings about math in the U.S. that led me to Math-U-See. I’m so glad I figured this out my first year of homeschooling while the boys are still young (3rd grade twins)! It’s easier to correct the problem at a young age. I had never realized before that math was being taught so differently from the way I was taught in the 70′s and 80′s.
Ethan: Hey thanks for the comments and the add! (House and Homeschool)
I’m up to my eyeballs in fuzzy math here in Eastern Washington, and belong to a group of parents and mathematicians who are working to get the NCTM math standards tossed OUT. It takes a lot to get their attention, but apparently things are working, somewhat. Here in WA we’ve gotten the SBE’s attention, and are now working to have a board appointed to oversee curriculum adoptions for mathematics. I homeschooled for ten years (using Math U See!) and now all my kids are in school. I teach my dd son (6) math after school using MUS Foundations. My 7th & 9th graders are wading through fuzzy math, with supplementation at home. (Considering your Alg. actually, for them to do after school.) Keep it up, Math U See deserves every award it wins, and all the recognition it can get. If you want to help at all in the fight against NCTM math, check out http://www.wheresthemath.com . God bless!
Ethan: Hey thanks for the comments and the add! (House and Homeschool)
I’m up to my eyeballs in fuzzy math here in Eastern Washington, and belong to a group of parents and mathematicians who are working to get the NCTM math standards tossed OUT. It takes a lot to get their attention, but apparently things are working, somewhat. Here in WA we’ve gotten the SBE’s attention, and are now working to have a board appointed to oversee curriculum adoptions for mathematics. I homeschooled for ten years (using Math U See!) and now all my kids are in school. I teach my dd son (6) math after school using MUS Foundations. My 7th & 9th graders are wading through fuzzy math, with supplementation at home. (Considering your Alg. actually, for them to do after school.) Keep it up, Math U See deserves every award it wins, and all the recognition it can get. If you want to help at all in the fight against NCTM math, check out http://www.wheresthemath.com . God bless!
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