[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] common Core Math

Fri Oct 16 13:02:01 PDT 2020

I think this concert is already on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/QHPmRJIoc2k

On Fri, Oct 16, 2020 at 11:38 AM <mwolfe at vinebrook.com> wrote:

> To All:
>
> Tom Lehrer <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Lehrer> is an amazing
> mathematician, musician, and satirist from the 1960s.
>
> There is a recently "rediscovered gem" of his *Live in Copenhagen* performance
> that is available on PBS. It also will be broadcast on Boston local TV:
>
>    - Tom Lehrer - Live In Copenhagen 1967
>    <https://proweb.myersinfosys.com/wgbh/atoz?date=#>
>       - Sunday, October 18, 12:00 am - GBH 2
>       <https://proweb.myersinfosys.com/wgbh/airlist/2/357994/detail>
>       - Saturday, October 24, 04:30 pm - GBH 2
>       <https://proweb.myersinfosys.com/wgbh/airlist/2/358032/detail>
>       - Sunday, November 15, 12:00 am - GBH 2
>       <https://proweb.myersinfosys.com/wgbh/airlist/2/358971/detail>
>       - Sunday, November 29, 04:00 pm - GBH 44
>       <https://proweb.myersinfosys.com/wgbh/airlist/44/329314/detail>
>
> -- Mitch
>
> On 2020-10-16 10:03, Jon Dreyer wrote:
>
> A lot of people who don't understand math education love to make fun of
> Common Core math, which actually isn't too bad, from what I've seen of it.
>
> Of course we all want our kids to learn efficient techniques, but, more
> importantly, we want them to learn to think critically and to think
> critically about how the techniques work, so they can adapt them and figure
> out shortcuts.
>
> I have seen far too many high school kids do simple arithmetic using the
> "standard algorithm" when obvious shortcuts are available. For example,
> I've seen kids dutifully going through all the motions to do calculations
> like 791-787, when just counting up from 787 is so much quicker. Those
> teachers teaching that stuff (at least the good ones) know it's important
> to teach both the standard methods and the critical thinking necessary to
> figure out other methods, and one way to do that is to model the critical
> thinking. So they require kids to work through those other methods.
>
> I spend a lot more time with middle school and high school kids than
> elementary kids, and I am often guilty of encouraging them to look at some
> common stuff that they do under a microscope, which can take way longer.
> For example, most of us could simplify 2x + (7 + 3x) in our heads, but I
> might ask them to try to put it under a microscope and look at all the
> algebra properties they are using:
>
> 2x + (7 + 3x)
> = 2x + (3x + 7) (commutative prop of addition)
> = (2x + 3x) + 7 (associative prop of addition)
> = (2 + 3) x + 7 (distributive prop of multiplication over addition)
> = 5x + 7
>
> Obviously this is way more work, and not the way we'd do that every day,
> but the advantage is that it gives kids the intellectual tools to work with
> expressions in unfamiliar patterns. Without firm knowledge of those basic
> algebra properties, kids will make mistakes like this:
>
> 2x + (3x * 7) = (2x + 3x) * 7
>
> Or they will "distribute" inappropriately:
>
> 2x (3x * 4) = (2x * 3x) * (2x * 4) = 6x^2 * 8x
>
> I see that kind of mistake every day. It's a tough sell getting them to
> really get to know the basic algebra properties, but those who do get way
> better.
>
> I'm also a musician, so I make the analogy with practicing fast music
> slowly. Of course we want to perform at the desired tempo, but if we never
> practice it slowly, we'll end up playing it sloppily.
>
> Then again, who doesn't love Tom Lehrer?
>
> On 2020-10-16 08:33, john rudy wrote:
>
> Here is a more complete explanation of what Bob is showing from one of my
> favorites
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6OaYPVueW4
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Robert Primak <bobprimak at yahoo.com> <bobprimak at yahoo.com>
> *Sent:* Friday, October 16, 2020 12:24 AM
>
>
>
> Don't ask that girl how to read an analog wall clock with hands and Roman
> Numerals!
>
>
>
> Then again, don't try to explain Eureka Math (successor to Common Core) to
> a parent!
>
>
>
> Why parents struggle with Common Core math: "The diagrams are absolutely
> insane."
>
>
> https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/06/17/common-core-did-parents-get-left-behind/
>
>
> --
> Jon Dreyer
> Math tutor/Computer science tutor <http://www.passionatelycurious.com>
> www.passionatelycurious.com
>
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