The search for truth is more precious than its possession.

Albert Einstein -The American Mathematical Monthly 100 (3).

on a math path

A dramatization of an abomination of calculation leading later to celebration,

with a combination of exploration, conversation, and

fascination.

The following story is true.

Once upon a time there was a mom who was also a fifth grade teacher.

As luck would have it, her son Alexander was also in 5th grade the year he brought home a mysterious new math book.

Mommateacher eagerly investigated the peculiar new book.

Much to her dismay, it was much more baffling than she had ever anticipated, and so began a year of agonizing homework that lasted for hours each night at the dining room table.

During that time, Mommateacher put on a good front while chanting the following questions and concerns over and over again in her head:

“How can I help my classified son when I don’t have a clue what’s going on?”

“What’s wrong with the way we used to multiply anyway?”

“Do these kids ever practice?”

“Oh, please, what on earth is a math box?”

“What does a math lesson look like in his classroom?”

“Oh, what will I do when Alex doesn’t bring home his materials? He forgets

everything!”

And, it wasn’t all about Alex! Secretly she worried.

I must not be as good at this I thought I was.

So, as you might imagine, when the time came for Mommateacher’s district to pick a new math program, she was among the first to volunteer for the committee!

And she was picked!

She would to get to the bottom of this!

And thus began an amazing adventure along a new math path.

Along the way she met an amazing man, Dr. Eric Milou, Rowan

University Associate Professor of Mathematics, who helped her begin

to answer her many questions!

http://www.mathnasium.com/press/press-njstar112804.htm http://www.ct4me.net/standardized_test_preparation.htm

http://cache.zoominfo.com/cachedpage/?archive_id=0&page_id=1688451820&page_url=%2f%2fwww.courierpostonline.com%2fapps%2fpbcs.dll%2farticle%3fAID%3d%2f20060817%2fNEWS04%2f608170337%2f1011&page_last_updated=8%2f23%2f2006+6%3a34%3a46+AM&firstName=

Eric&lastName=Milou

Teaching Mathematics to Middle School Students by Stephen Krulik, Jesse A. Rudnick, Eric Milou, and Eric Milous (Paperback - Oct 4, 2002)

There is more than one way to get there!

Have you seen this yet?

http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/52468.html

NOTHING is wrong with the way we used to multiply, but now we

have Multiple Multiplication Tools!

• Lattice Method: A favorite among 5th graders!

• Partial Products

• Traditional Long American Mathematics

• Do you want to use another one?

http://instruction.aaps.k12.mi.us/EM_parent_hdbk/algorithms.html

What does a math lesson look like, and what are math boxes?

• All math lessons are created equal! Let’s see what an everyday math lesson looks like?

http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/educators/lessonbackground.shtml

• Looking for more practice at home? Create your own math worksheets.

http://www.aplusmath.com/Worksheets/index.html

• VERY cool MATHO game.http://www.aplusmath.com/games/matho/MultMatho.html

• Geometric area practice on the computer.http://www.aplusmath.com/flashcards/index.html

What to do if something is forgotten?

Everyday math offers a very comprehensive website offering games, practice, additional resources and Family Letters!

http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/

http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/parents/index.shtml

Do you have the TIME?to read this : "http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1568480-1,00.html

• Thinking outside the box. -"put an enormous premium on creative and innovative skills, seeing patterns where other people see only chaos," says Marc Tucker. It's interdisciplinary combinations--design and technology, mathematics and art--"that produce…

• Becoming smarter about new sources of information. "It's important that students know how to manage it, interpret it, validate it, and how to act on it," says Dell executive Karen Bruett.

• Developing good people skills!!!!!

Meanwhile, back in Audubon………

…4 years later

Alex is preparing for his first ever midterm examination in math….algebra. After Mommateacher notices how quickly he adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides his algebraic moves, she asks him,

“Hey, what’s up with that? How can you do that so fast when I have to write it down?”

His explanation includes partial products and partial sums, rounding up, rounding down, estimating and fine tuning….and so much more…..

and then he said,

“I learned that in 5th grade.”

the end

"The important thing is not to stop questioning." -Albert Einstein

TOO COOL TO MISS!

• A First Grade Game• A 5th Grade Game!

• java math game pattern blocks

http://arcytech.org/java/patterns/patterns_j.shtml• fantastic games

http://www.center.k12.mo.us/EDTECH/edm/5.htm