I posted this over at my blog, and I think I am on to something here.
The next time someone tries to defend or advocate for balanced math instruction or balanced literacy remember this simple mathematical formula.
(good + bad) / 2 = mediocre
for those non-mathematically inclined.
"The average of good plus bad is mediocre."
Counterexample:
ReplyDelete1 teaspoon wine added to 1 vat poo ---> vat of poo
1 teaspoon poo added to 1 vat wine --->
vat of poo
The word "balanced" grates me too.
lollllllllll
ReplyDeletedouble & triple lollllll
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it.
Balanced is just another word to shut up the parents.
Nothing is better. The good stuff is just watered down.
EM claims that it is balanced now.
I say in response to arguments about balance that personally I am quite happy that no doctor has ever tried to treat me with a round of bleeding for "balance".
ReplyDeleteThink Math! is the NSF’s brand new “balanced” math program. From all indications, my school plans to adopt it for next school year. I am protesting and, of course, they are giving me the “balanced” argument.
ReplyDeleteHere’s a quote from their website:
“students can approach any Think Math! activity from where they are at the moment and still succeed, learn, and be challenged.”
That’s balanced?
Here’s a snippet from my latest email to the school:
Although it bills itself as “balanced”, a review of Think Math shows that it offers a typical reform format with added practice drills. The National Science Foundation (NSF), the developer of Think Math, has similarly modified its TERC Investigations, another notorious reform math program that our school dropped from its pilot plan earlier this year. Many believe these latest “innovations” are an attempt to fix some of the glaring inadequacies that have generated so much opposition.
Of course, they’re in love with reform math to begin with, and that’s part of this problem.
Thank you for my morning laugh!
ReplyDeleteTRACY -- I LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteI'M GOING TO BE USING THAT!
Wish I could quantify all the benefits I've gained from ktm.
* math subject matter knowledge
* math pedagogical content knowledge
* ZINGERS
There is NOTHING better than a good zinger.
Seriously.
I just looked up the word "balanced" on answers.com
ReplyDeleteIts first definition: "Neither favorable or unfavorable."
Yikes.