Focus on fractions

No kidding?  They just figured that out?  I have been saying it for year!  Dr, Marazano was here in AZ a couple of years ago and he said that it would take a child 3-4 years just to master the 4th grade standards required by the state of Arizona.  He said we have way too many standards and they need to be reduced.  Nothing has changed even though a specialist has declared it.

"Stop, I want to get off this train."  I'll add the parents' two cents. I have been thinking about the type and amount of homework lately and even went to my school's principal with concerns--too much or age inappropriate.  We are requiring too much too fast and most kids simply can't do it by themselves. Thus, parent's "doing" homework for their kids. Parents would be glad not to have to help so much.   My very organized, bright 7th grade daughter in Advanced Math said to me the other day that she had learned more math from me this year than from her teacher. She has done well and feels good about math.  Interesting thing is her teacher is very good, but the constraints of time, class size, and state standards are keeping her from making sure ALL the kids are solid with new concepts and practicing those they have had before. She does a very good job considering what she is required to cover and do in a day.  I  know my child will suffer in math later if the basics aren't solid now.  Not all parents have the time or wherewithall or will to work with their kids at night.  I am not doing my child's homework, but rather asking her to do it first.  Then I check it and see which concepts she is having trouble with and show her how to do a problem.  Her teacher isn't alloted enough time to do that.  She is kind and helpful and open to having my child come in to clarify questions before school. She shouldn't have to and that doesn't help all the students who either come on the bus or whose parents can't bring them in. I have even considered homeschooling since I have a teaching background and advanced degrees.  The authorities and experts are not creating an environment which works for teachers or most students.  And not just in math.

I don't assign homework at all.  The only homework my class has to do is what they did not finish in class.  After I read the research on how homework does not help students unless they already know how to do it, I quit making it a separate assignment.  We have been discussing student generated homework.  What is that?  "You create and solve 2 word problems that have to do with today's math lesson."  (worded better of course)  

I am a new teacher and am teaching in second grade. I was amazed at how much is required for my students to know before they can leave second grade. When I was in school, I didn't begin multiplication until the third and fourth grades and now it is a requirement for my second graders. I have many students who are falling behind because I can not slow down to give them more attention on specific areas to increase their knowledge becasue state tests require that they have a basic knowledge of everything in teh book before the state tests. I try to use my morning work time to go back and refresh what we have learned previously in the year, but there is just not enough time alloted for me to make sure that every student is understanding what we are required to be teaching them. Does anyone have any suggestions about what they do to help with the time constraints?