tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691251033406320222.post2909708262309867030..comments2024-03-26T04:19:38.862-07:00Comments on kitchen table math, the sequel: Scarsdale adopts Singapore MathCatherine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03347093496361370174noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691251033406320222.post-78706728853643826252008-10-11T13:49:00.000-07:002008-10-11T13:49:00.000-07:00The whole thing is amazing -- particularly given t...The whole thing is amazing -- particularly given the fact that Scarsdale's adoption of Trailblazers was influential in Irvington's adoption of Trailblazers.<BR/><BR/>I anticipate seeing the school board request that the administration address the question of Primary Mathematics and why we have not considered adopting it.<BR/><BR/>The assistant superintendent has already given her answer to this question, which is that Trailblazers is not the curriculum, because Irvington writes its own curriculum. Since Irvington writes its own curriculum, parents and taxpayers are misguided in complaining about Trailblazers. <BR/><BR/>She will also cite the high scores of last year's 6th graders on the state tests. Their scores prove Trailblazers is working. The fact that NY tests material far below the level mastered by students in Singapore will not be addressed. Nor will the fact that many of these kids were tutored or taught long division by their parents.<BR/><BR/>And, finally, she will point to the TriState Consortium report, which applauds Trailblazers.<BR/><BR/>If need be, the administration will cite the existence of parents who like Trailblazers. <BR/><BR/>Still, politically speaking it's a difficult spot for the administration to be in. There is tremendous unhappiness with the math department & curriculum, and this unhappiness cost the district votes on the last fields bond. <BR/><BR/>The best move would probably be for the administration to ask the Curriculum Committee to consider Singapore Math & have the committee issue a report acknowledging that Singapore Math is a good curriculum but noting that since Irvington writes its own curriculum we don't need it.Catherine Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03347093496361370174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691251033406320222.post-77190353042586094722008-10-10T09:48:00.000-07:002008-10-10T09:48:00.000-07:00"He said he might have to rethink his marketing pl..."He said he might have to rethink his marketing plan.."<BR/><BR/>Open a center in Irvington.<BR/><BR/>It's also important that this is not a low SES area. They don't look at it as remedial. For example, our schools use phonics-based instruction if all else fails.SteveHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03956560674752399562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691251033406320222.post-32434571954485464852008-10-10T06:31:00.000-07:002008-10-10T06:31:00.000-07:00This is an amazing development; surely Scarsdale m...This is an amazing development; surely Scarsdale must be the first NYS suburban school district to adopt Singapore. This could help break down the barrier that public schools like my own have erected when they say Singapore doesn’t align with state standards.<BR/><BR/>Yesterday I was at the Scarsdale Kumon center mentioned in the article, and I detected a slightly nervous laugh from the director when we discussed how this would affect his business. He said he might have to rethink his marketing plans in consideration of this development.Texhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12015376722906862434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691251033406320222.post-35735878602967321102008-10-09T11:54:00.000-07:002008-10-09T11:54:00.000-07:00"Irvington gets Project Lead the Way."Actually, th..."Irvington gets Project Lead the Way."<BR/><BR/>Actually, this should have a big impact on surrounding school districts. This is no longer theoretical. They can't ignore it.SteveHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03956560674752399562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691251033406320222.post-38627069977311794482008-10-09T11:14:00.000-07:002008-10-09T11:14:00.000-07:00"In second grade, for instance, the children use m..."In second grade, for instance, the children use multiplication tables from 2 to 5, but they haven't memorized them; and when they come to third grade, we end up relearning them. But now, they will have learned them in second grade and we can just concentrate on multiplication tables for 6, 7, 8 and 9."<BR/><BR/><BR/>Imagine, having a "secure" date in the same year that the material was taught!<BR/><BR/><BR/>" But this year he planned to teach the basics until his students can "feel it in their bones."<BR/><BR/>Apparently, mastery meant something else before.SteveHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03956560674752399562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691251033406320222.post-28191898228765686342008-10-09T08:11:00.000-07:002008-10-09T08:11:00.000-07:00That should prop up housing values in a crashing w...<I>That should prop up housing values in a crashing world economy.</I><BR/><BR/>Well, in Scarsdale it just might. <BR/><BR/>It sure makes me want to move to there.concernedCTparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09755180042426047454noreply@blogger.com