As noted earlier, SCASD is making a point of promoting their new focus on the U.S. algorithms as part of the “Action Plan” proposed last spring in the lead-up to the Board vote on the purchase of “Investigations”. The standard U.S. algorithms are the familiar and efficient methods for doing arithmetic, like carrying and borrowing, that are downplayed in “Investigations”, and many parents complained about this in comments left on the PQME petition last spring.
At the District Math Night, the SCASD curriculum administrators were asked how and when, exactly, the algorithms are being introduced and how much time is spent teaching the algorithms. No answer was given; parents were instead referred to the “Grade Level Pacing Charts” on the SCASD web site for specific answers. I’ve just looked through all seven of the pacing charts and see no mention of any the standard algorithms like carrying anywhere. SCASD administrators, who have had all summer to implement the Action Plan, will soon have to make it clear exactly how and when algorithms are being taught. Simply stating that the teaching of algorithms is an integral part of the new SCASD approach without following through and actually teaching algorithms will lead many to believe that the Action Plan is a hollow attempt to appease frustrated parents and skeptical Board members.
UPDATE: Mere minutes after this post, the pacing charts were modified by the addition of check marks next to certain units, indicating “Algorithm Introduced” but with no indication of which algorithm (see comments).
I just looked at the link to 2nd grade math pacing chart, and there was a small check mark by a couple of units- below the chart, the check mark is explained to mean that an algorithm will be introduced during that unit. But which algorithm would be introduced with a unit called, “Does it walk, crawl, or swim?” You got me. It sounds like a preschool unit- not a mathematical one for 2nd graders.
At the Math Night meeting, we were told that Investigations also includes teaching of algorithms. I guess they must mean the “multiple towers” approach which doesn’t really qualify in my book. Based on my fourth grader’s 2nd edition exposure last year and my careful review of the 5th grade workbook, Investigations still does NOT teach the US standard multiplication algorithm.
Sometimes I wonder if anyone is reading these blog posts, but not anymore. The check marks referred to by Math Mom appeared shortly after (very shortly after) my post this morning. I am certain they weren’t there when I posted, and there are other changes to the names of the headings on the K-6 math page since this morning.