Boom! Someone read Mathnasium's mind. I just read this article on reasons why math education is not adding up in the Scientific American (link to article below). Did you know the US is ranked 36 out of 65 nations? That's crazy!
The foundation all math students need is number sense—essentially a feel for numbers, with the agility to use them flexibly and creatively.
-Scientific American
It seems "memorization" is the gotcha! Kids who rely on simply memorizing things are most successful when they can recall those skills. Oh, yea, then they have to recall them accurately (a totally separate issue!). When students are able to relate and apply concepts from one to another, now they have a solid toolbox for future success. If they start to struggle, they have somewhere to turn to skillwise to resolve their own problem. Being hyperaware of what you need to know is of great value to students as well. Recognizing their own gaps and taking steps to move forward is a self-motivated learner.
At Mathnasium we focus on the latter two because we know memorization will only get you so far. Whether your child struggles or seeks enrichment, we are a learning center that makes sure students understand not just the "how" but the "why" in how to solve problems. After all, today's math problems diectly correlate to future math problems and there is always new month's test out there looming.
Having strong Number Sense is a secret weapon to excel in math! I am especially proud of Mathnasium's amazing integration of number sense in all levels of math. As a former teacher, elementary administrator, and math curriculum writer for the past two decades, using tools to build number sense is life changing for students who struggle and eye opening for students hungry to learn advanced concepts but needing some age appropriate building blocks to get there.
Check out the article here: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-math-education-in-the-u-s-doesn-t-add-up/?wt.mc=SA_Facebook-Share
(858) 291-8186
(858) 291-8186
