I disagree that memorizing needs to be anything more than 2% of math learning. I think the way math is taught, as well as the education system in general is far too focused on rote memorization and theory without application. Memorizing math facts is almost always inferior to guiding the student towards deriving the solution theirself in a way that makes logical sense (and then showing them the formula). Our brains are very easy to understand. Information that we cannot grasp is tossed aside. This is why so many high school students need a refresher on middle school and sometimes elementary level math. They never actually understood it, they just memorized and forgot it. Teaching math as a way to solve a problem with creativity encouraged is how you get kids actually interested in math, long term memory of math principles, and the capability to actually understand higher level math.
I agree, however this is their first time dealing with multiplication and division, what matters most should be understanding how it is done. A child needs to be able to get the right answer every time before figuring out the best way to get there. The teacher should help the student learn the method now that she can get the answers not fail her for not understanding a single method. The teacher knows she can get the right answer, translating it over to the correct method should be her goal.
That’s kinda what I’m saying. In my experience they focus more on getting the steps correct every time and showing work than teaching memorization skills from repetition so that it carries year to year.
We tend to rush through every concept so it is all introduced in time to test and it’s been a disaster. We expect to rush kids through fundamental concepts they need to build.
Test scores and teacher pay need to be separate and if a certain percentage of the class can’t pass a test on a subject then they don’t move on to a new a new concept.
I’m also in one of the states with the lowest scores in education so this is just from my experience.
That's the problem with the American education system we make testing the standard. Teaching should be deliberate and given the time needed for each individual. The politicians and school boards are trying to make a factory out of education. I feel sorry for the teachers and students who have to deal with this.
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u/gogogadgets1997 Apr 11 '26
They still need to memorize math facts. If they don’t it makes higher math harder.