Verified Document

Basic Facts Essay

¶ … Teach Geometry Dear Parent,

This letter is in response to your question: Why are students in elementary school learning geometry when they do not yet know the basic facts and should be spending their time working on them instead?

There are two parts to the answer. The first is concerned with the learning of math facts. It is an ongoing process for students in the elementary grades. It begins with the development of number sense, which is a child's facility and flexibility in using and manipulating numbers (Chard, Baker, Clarke, Jungjohann, Davis, and Smolkowski, 2008, p. 12). Some students develop number sense in preschool or informally in familial settings before kindergarten; other children do not begin to develop number sense until their formal schooling begins, whether because of opportunity or because of developmental readiness. Developing number sense takes time. It does not happen quickly and it does not happen because a child was drilled with flash cards. Number facts are part of every child's mathematical learning, but there is so much more.

The second part of the answer is concerned with topics of study in the elementary mathematics...

Research suggests that simultaneously integrating number sense activities with early measurement concepts and simple plain geometry helps reduce subsequent difficulties in mathematics as opposed to teaching these skills separately and sequentially (Chard, et al., 2008, p. 13). In other words, math is not taught in a vacuum. Beginning with the youngest students, math is taught as an amalgamation of skills, strategies and thinking processes. Students need to know their facts but they can be developing greater levels of mathematical thinking as they do so.
American students' performance in mathematics is generally low compared to that of students around the world. There is an achievement gap for students from low-income and minority backgrounds as well as for students with disabilities (Chard, et al., 2008, p. 11). The crisis in math achievement has fostered considerable research of best practices. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) states that "Communication is an essential part of mathematics and mathematics education" (2000, p. 60, cited in Cooke and Buchholz, 2005, p. 365). Communication during math time gives students and teachers an…

Sources used in this document:
References

Chard, D.J., Baker, S.K., Clarke, B., Jungjohann, K., Davis, K., and Smolkowski, K. (2008).

Preventing early mathematics difficulties: The feasibility of a rigorous kindergarten mathematics curriculum. Learning Disability Quarterly 31(1), pp. 11-20.

Common core standards adoption by state. (2012). ASCD. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/common-core-state-standards/common-core-state-standards- adoption-map.aspx

Cooke, B.D., and Buccholz, D. (2005). Mathematical communication in the classroom: A teacher makes a difference. Early Childhood Education Journal 32(6), pp. 365-369).
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Sociology Introducing Alexa Madison Basic Facts From
Words: 2576 Length: 9 Document Type: Essay

Sociology Introducing Alexa Madison Basic facts from her childhood Basic facts from her adolescence Basic facts from her young adult life Issues related to race Detailed analysis of race-related issues in Alexa's life Racial identity in a multicultural society: the factors that help create an individual's racial identity and membership in a specific social group based on race or ethnicity. Implications for social status; in particular, the self-perception of African-Americans vs. The expectations placed on African-Americans Stereotypes Institutionalized racism Link to

E.H. Carr Define a "Fact" in What
Words: 915 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

E.H. Carr define a "fact" in What is History? How does it compare with the definitions of Bloch and Becker? Which one do you think is most useful as you begin preparing for your senior research seminar? According to Carr in the book What is History? He first provides the definition of a fact by citing the oxford English Dictionary, which refers to a fact as "a datum of experience

Scooped As Many Facts As
Words: 580 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

In 2000, only 63% of students in the United States were enrolled in full-day kindergarten programs in both public and private systems, compared with 25% in 1979. 12 states require half-day kindergarten, 11 require none whatsoever, and the rest require some form of "full-day" kindergarten that extends between four and six hours each day during the child's fifth year of age, teaching the standard education basics of letters, basic

Basic Human Rights
Words: 2916 Length: 10 Document Type: Term Paper

Human Rights, Beyond Intervention The true civilization is where every man gives to every other every right he claims for himself. The argument There is a modern debate that is ongoing between different views of human rights and law in contemporary society. Essentially the debate has two fundamentally opposing points-of-view. On the one side are those who view certain human rights as intrinsic to the meaning of being human and inalienable for all

Basic Elements of a Contract
Words: 1701 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Paper

Contract Law For most of us living in Western societies contracts pervade most of our waking hours, yet how often do we really think about the countless transactions that we engage in every day? Buying a cappuccino at the corner Starbucks, streaming a video on Netflix, or coming home to a mortgaged house can involve countless contracts, both unstated and written. In fact, our ability to stream videos over the internet

Basic Helping Process
Words: 1749 Length: 5 Document Type: Case Study

HP) is a workable, respected program designed to offer support for those whose needs are not being met. The various settings in which the HP is put in action include people in a mental health setting, criminal justice, substance abuse issues, educational environments, legal aid, welfare and child and youth services. This paper uses the example of an immigrant who has serious problems and who will be provided helping

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now