Parents need to
help with
math homework

I’m a fourth-grade teacher in Conejo Valley Unified School District. I have been using Everyday Math in my classroom for 3 years. Recent data shows that math scores have been going up districtwide since its adoption.

In the Letters section of the April 28 Acorn, Mr. Gessert of Thousand Oaks made several claims that are not correct. Everyday Math does use repetition and reinforcement. It is spread out over a few days, weeks or even months. Old-style math programs would teach one subject, drill it for several days, and then go on to something else, never to return to the earlier skills. EDM does repeat, and it repeats often.

I can only answer some of his other complaints this way. In my classroom I use flash cards. I expect kids to completely write out the problem on their papers. Calculators are used primarily to (what was his word?) reinforce or deepen the understanding of the skills already taught.

Mr. Gessert’s entire conclusion is based on a false premise. The clerks who can’t add, people who can’t figure out a tip, and cooks who can’t modify a recipe were all taught using the methods from the "dark ages." Our Everyday Math kids are still too young to fill these positions.

I’m sorry Mr. Gessert spends $1,200 per year on private tutoring. If all he wants is repetition and reinforcement, he doesn’t need to spend $100 a month. My parents used flash cards at home with me, and I learned my basic facts. Can he not use flash cards with his own child?

Why spend money to generate repetitive math practice sheets? He could simply write a few problems on a piece of paper and say, "Here, honey, do these, and I’ll check them for you." If he doesn’t wish to do this, there are many free or inexpensive programs on the Internet that will make worksheets for him.

Unfortunately, there is no math program that will work well for every child. There will always be some kids who need extra help to understand. But for my students and me, I’ll take Everyday Math any day.

Ken Holland

Moorpark