The following are excerpts from correspondence between myself and the teachers regarding my math curriculum concerns.
Excerpts from my letter to Drew's teacher:
"Although we were given a little more time to spend on previous lessons, and I continue to give extra work myself in math; I am still very unhappy with the current curriculum." "...I do not feel the kids are retaining the information in math - they are not mastering the lessons before moving on; and I feel they are covering lessons that could wait. Drew's grades do not reflect her actual scores because I go over the incorrect answers with her, explain them to her, and then correct the answer before submitting the assessments. Both children are capable of understanding the information being given to them in order to complete the daily assignments, they simply aren't holding on to that information for long because they seem to be moving to(sic) fast."
"As for Drew, I feel she needs much, much more time spent on 3 digit adding and subtracting (borrowing and carrying over), and small multiplication and division (as well as money and time). I feel these are foundational to all other math and it's really important for her to actually master it before moving on. Otherwise, she will be overwhelmed, struggle just to keep up, and not retain the information for later."
"The most important lessons, in my opinion, are foundational math (adding, subtracting, multiplication, division, and simple algebra), and reading and grammar. If they can master these, they will have better problem solving skills in the long run."
Excerpts from (Drew's) teacher's response:
"I agree completely with you that a great foundation in math is of the utmost importance. CA math curriculum does introduce many skills without a lot of time for mastery. I'm a firm believer in repetition to learn the basic math facts."
"I appreciate you sharing that Drew is not as strong a math student as her math grades reflect. Drew really needs to complete the assessments independently so that I can have a better grasp of what her strengths and weaknesses are. Had she been doing this and we were getting a truer picture of her math skills, then she could have been put on an escalation plan. This would allow me the possiblity of modifying and/or deleting some assignments so we could just focus on the basics."
"On future math assessments, I would like for you to not correct Drew's mistakes and let me see what she is understanding. After I grade the assessments, Drew could then go back and rework the incorrect questions. If Drew does complete the assessments independently and does not make a passing grade I will then readjust her grade to 70%, if she corrects the missed questions. She will need to show her work, how she arrived at her answer and webmail this to me. (make sure to include the unit/lesson)"
(Let me just say here, that as the parent and the "learning coach", I feel I'm in a pretty good position to determine how my child is doing as well as the lessons my child needs more attention with. I also feel, in an online program such as CA, the teachers would take that into consideration and, consequently, my opinion and concerns would carry more weight, and that weight would allow us to cut straight into action as opposed to this process of submitting incorrect answers in order to verify what I am already expressing. I do not want to appear to harsh on CA, as I have enjoyed it so much, and I do realize they are a public school entity and must conform to the same rules and procedures (which may not be what I am looking for in a homeschooling program, rumor has it I am the controlling sort) ;) I do feel I have a fairly accurate understanding of how my children learn, think, and feel; education is an emotional process as well. So, I've pulled my children from our local public schools not only because they have been undergoing dramatic changes in the last two years that I did not agree with nor feel comfortable with, but also because I could see so many children in the public school system losing their power, losing the passion, and losing respect. I didn't want my children to be lost as well. I want them taught in an environment that nutures a healthy self-esteem, encourages their passions, enthusiasm, and love. Okay, okay, I've started rambling and I, in no way, mean to imply that CA is anything nearly resembling my local ISD, so let's move on.)
Excerpt from my letter to Wolfie's teacher:
"I still feel that Wolfie is moving forward in Math way too fast, and he is not given the time to master the lesson before moving on. While he seems to do well with watching a live or recorded lesson, reading the book, watching videos, and understanding the assignment, he is not retaining the information. (I believe his TAKS is going to reflect this as well.)"
"I am extremely confused as to why Wolfie is already studying Geometry, when his focus, I feel, should be long division and multiplication, and simple algebra. I have noticed he struggles in these areas and I feel it's because he wasn't given the time to master it enough to feel good about it, and then move forward. In my opinion, the most important lessons are the foundational math (adding, subtracting, multiplication, divsion, and simple algebra), and reading, writing, and grammar. If they can master these, they will have better problem solving skills in everything else in their lives."
Excerpt from (Wolfie's) teacher's response:
"I've actually already modified the math 7 curriculum by skipping everything in part B that is not required by the state of Texas. My plan is to have students work on that material during the last month of school, because those lessons are foundation topics for next year."
"Though it may feel frustrating that Wolfie is studying Geometry instead of focusing more on basic math skills, our state requires studying in Geometry, Algebra, Data and Statistics, etc. each year. I can make curriculum modifications, but I cannot omit topics that are required in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)."
"However, it may make more senese for Wolfie if we spend the last month going back and continuing to practice the essential skills from Math 7, instead of having him work on the skipped topics. That will give him a full month to reflect and review."
Consequently, I am looking into more homeschooling options. I don't view this as a set back nor a wrong decision; this is all, simply, a learning experience (and I suppose one would be very lucky to find just that right one, on the first try). I also understand, there will be pros and cons to every situation, but I also feel the gravity of my expectations for my child's learning experience. I have sat and watched my children working hard only at keeping up, and never really being allowed the time to "get it" and get excited about "getting it". What then am I looking for in our educational experience? A "program" that allows the children to (1) work at a pace I feel is comfortable and reasonable for them, (2) with a focus on mastering each lesson before moving forward, (3) offers a adequate and well devised curriculum, and (4) affordablity.
I start my search with the following: Sonlight, Winter Promise, Alpha Omega, The Pioneer Woman, A Beka, K12, and North Texas Academy, and I will post more links to more programs as I come across them.
Excerpts from my letter to Drew's teacher:
"Although we were given a little more time to spend on previous lessons, and I continue to give extra work myself in math; I am still very unhappy with the current curriculum." "...I do not feel the kids are retaining the information in math - they are not mastering the lessons before moving on; and I feel they are covering lessons that could wait. Drew's grades do not reflect her actual scores because I go over the incorrect answers with her, explain them to her, and then correct the answer before submitting the assessments. Both children are capable of understanding the information being given to them in order to complete the daily assignments, they simply aren't holding on to that information for long because they seem to be moving to(sic) fast."
"As for Drew, I feel she needs much, much more time spent on 3 digit adding and subtracting (borrowing and carrying over), and small multiplication and division (as well as money and time). I feel these are foundational to all other math and it's really important for her to actually master it before moving on. Otherwise, she will be overwhelmed, struggle just to keep up, and not retain the information for later."
"The most important lessons, in my opinion, are foundational math (adding, subtracting, multiplication, division, and simple algebra), and reading and grammar. If they can master these, they will have better problem solving skills in the long run."
Excerpts from (Drew's) teacher's response:
"I agree completely with you that a great foundation in math is of the utmost importance. CA math curriculum does introduce many skills without a lot of time for mastery. I'm a firm believer in repetition to learn the basic math facts."
"I appreciate you sharing that Drew is not as strong a math student as her math grades reflect. Drew really needs to complete the assessments independently so that I can have a better grasp of what her strengths and weaknesses are. Had she been doing this and we were getting a truer picture of her math skills, then she could have been put on an escalation plan. This would allow me the possiblity of modifying and/or deleting some assignments so we could just focus on the basics."
"On future math assessments, I would like for you to not correct Drew's mistakes and let me see what she is understanding. After I grade the assessments, Drew could then go back and rework the incorrect questions. If Drew does complete the assessments independently and does not make a passing grade I will then readjust her grade to 70%, if she corrects the missed questions. She will need to show her work, how she arrived at her answer and webmail this to me. (make sure to include the unit/lesson)"
(Let me just say here, that as the parent and the "learning coach", I feel I'm in a pretty good position to determine how my child is doing as well as the lessons my child needs more attention with. I also feel, in an online program such as CA, the teachers would take that into consideration and, consequently, my opinion and concerns would carry more weight, and that weight would allow us to cut straight into action as opposed to this process of submitting incorrect answers in order to verify what I am already expressing. I do not want to appear to harsh on CA, as I have enjoyed it so much, and I do realize they are a public school entity and must conform to the same rules and procedures (which may not be what I am looking for in a homeschooling program, rumor has it I am the controlling sort) ;) I do feel I have a fairly accurate understanding of how my children learn, think, and feel; education is an emotional process as well. So, I've pulled my children from our local public schools not only because they have been undergoing dramatic changes in the last two years that I did not agree with nor feel comfortable with, but also because I could see so many children in the public school system losing their power, losing the passion, and losing respect. I didn't want my children to be lost as well. I want them taught in an environment that nutures a healthy self-esteem, encourages their passions, enthusiasm, and love. Okay, okay, I've started rambling and I, in no way, mean to imply that CA is anything nearly resembling my local ISD, so let's move on.)
Excerpt from my letter to Wolfie's teacher:
"I still feel that Wolfie is moving forward in Math way too fast, and he is not given the time to master the lesson before moving on. While he seems to do well with watching a live or recorded lesson, reading the book, watching videos, and understanding the assignment, he is not retaining the information. (I believe his TAKS is going to reflect this as well.)"
"I am extremely confused as to why Wolfie is already studying Geometry, when his focus, I feel, should be long division and multiplication, and simple algebra. I have noticed he struggles in these areas and I feel it's because he wasn't given the time to master it enough to feel good about it, and then move forward. In my opinion, the most important lessons are the foundational math (adding, subtracting, multiplication, divsion, and simple algebra), and reading, writing, and grammar. If they can master these, they will have better problem solving skills in everything else in their lives."
Excerpt from (Wolfie's) teacher's response:
"I've actually already modified the math 7 curriculum by skipping everything in part B that is not required by the state of Texas. My plan is to have students work on that material during the last month of school, because those lessons are foundation topics for next year."
"Though it may feel frustrating that Wolfie is studying Geometry instead of focusing more on basic math skills, our state requires studying in Geometry, Algebra, Data and Statistics, etc. each year. I can make curriculum modifications, but I cannot omit topics that are required in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)."
"However, it may make more senese for Wolfie if we spend the last month going back and continuing to practice the essential skills from Math 7, instead of having him work on the skipped topics. That will give him a full month to reflect and review."
Consequently, I am looking into more homeschooling options. I don't view this as a set back nor a wrong decision; this is all, simply, a learning experience (and I suppose one would be very lucky to find just that right one, on the first try). I also understand, there will be pros and cons to every situation, but I also feel the gravity of my expectations for my child's learning experience. I have sat and watched my children working hard only at keeping up, and never really being allowed the time to "get it" and get excited about "getting it". What then am I looking for in our educational experience? A "program" that allows the children to (1) work at a pace I feel is comfortable and reasonable for them, (2) with a focus on mastering each lesson before moving forward, (3) offers a adequate and well devised curriculum, and (4) affordablity.
I start my search with the following: Sonlight, Winter Promise, Alpha Omega, The Pioneer Woman, A Beka, K12, and North Texas Academy, and I will post more links to more programs as I come across them.
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