A friend of mine reports that one of the K-5 teachers explained to parents why they give kids math homework they don't know how to do.
When the kids try to do the problems and fail they come to school the next day really wanting to find out how to do them.
Of course, I have a different theory as to why kids in a "high-performing" district would be routinely given assignments that are over their heads.
The explanation from our school was similar. When the math homework is something students don't know how to do, it offers a wonderful opportunity for parents to step in and participate in their child's learning. It engages both parent and child.
ReplyDeleteCharming, don't you think?
BTW, this means the publisher sells a few more books as a bonus. Parents in my district shell out $25 for their own copy of the Everyday Math student reference book so they can help their children with all those alternate algorithms.
ReplyDeleteThey actually said that?
ReplyDeleteIt engages the parent?
Well we're engaged today!
More emails to the middle school.
You'd think these folks would want to stop engaging us as much as they do...