Post five statements you truly believe but expect most of the board to disagree with.

[JohnT]

@Superhal

But, does she do them at the same level? I was rather shocked to learn that times tables aren’t taught until the third grade now (I had to memorize them in k-1). Also, 1-5 is taught in the first semester, 6-10 is taught in the second semester. I had to memorize 1-12. By this schedule, maybe division isn’t taught until 4th grade. I also had my first chance at algebra in 7th grade.

I talked to a 3rd grader, but am looking forward to seeing if they still have to memorize all the presidents and all the states and state capitols and when.

@Alessan

I suspect your own experience may have been unusual - or else you’re much older than me, because my 9-year-old’s curriculum is similar to what mine was.

For the past 40 years or so, the general belief has been that memorization is not the same as learning.

1. Yes, she did do all that stuff, and more. We’re quite serious about her education. Hell, as I type this, Sophia is in math camp. Later this summer a poetry camp, then 2 weeks acting as a counselor for a day school, and then a mother-daughter trip to New Orleans for a few days so Sophia can see what that city is like.

Does she pass these milestones (mult. tables, states and capitals, etc) at the same ages that we did? I don’t recall, but she has done them.

(However, ask her today what the capital of Vermont is and she is likely to initially respond with “I don’t know”. Doesn’t mean that she doesn’t know, that means (in 12yo speak) “I don’t want to be bothered, I’m too wrapped up in me.” )

2. Memorization is a part of learning, one that is vastly undervalued today. I made very sure she remembered her multiplication tables. Mom worked with states and capitals. We compile lists. She still has spelling words. This anti-memorization idea has done as much to damage basic education in this country as much as anything else. It’s fine teaching kids how to think, but you gotta give them something to think about.

I see it in Sophia - she loves timelines, as they allow her to memorize basic facts about a favorite subject. My wife and I were big The Book of Lists people - I read through two copies of that thing and could quote the sexual peccadillo’s of the rich and famous verbatim. Let’s just say my 5th-grade self couldn’t believe what they’re saying about Catherine the Great and that horse!

3. The education today is far more “integrated” (for want of a better word) than it was in my day. For example, her mathematics coursework have been introducing algebraic and geometric concepts since the 3rd grade and Sophia already knows how to solve for X on simple equations and the various triangles and their properties. Science texts refer to historical periods of which she also studies that year, stuff like that. Not perfect, but definitely better.

4. And since we’re on the subject of “things people disagree with”, while I agree with many that there is a shocking lack of focus on education in this country, but…

… If your child is playing more than one sport you are contributing to this.

… If you don’t have your child participate in supplemental education activities/camps/etc during the summer because “kids need to be kids”, you are contributing to this.

… If you leave your child to do their homework w/o you participating (even passively in the “I’m always here if you have any questions” sense), you are contributing to this.