tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post3272317634391060845..comments2024-02-16T06:29:33.587-08:00Comments on Welcome to " The Math UnderGround " -- Seattle & Washington State: Letter to Seattle CAO 9-15-2009dan dempseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-62246504757334950662009-11-01T09:16:00.426-08:002009-11-01T09:16:00.426-08:00Even by using a traditional math sequence after go...Even by using a traditional math sequence after going through something so ludicrous as Everyday Yuck - I am finding my far below ninth graders are woefully ignorant (illiterate). I am using Marcy Cook materials and everyday it is an uphill battle. These kids are so brainwashed into thinking that they're stupid. <br /><br />Thank you textbook publishers for being so condescending, authoritarian, and just plain jerks. Math education in America is a cheap lie and a billion dollar hoax. Not that a billion will be worth anything in a few more years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-28610877185634681632009-11-01T09:05:05.517-08:002009-11-01T09:05:05.517-08:00Sparks certainly put his foot in his mouth - talk ...Sparks certainly put his foot in his mouth - talk about falling on one's sword. Connected Math? Is he crazy or what? It must be the acid rain dissolving brain cells. I've never heard so much nonsense coming from your neck of the woods.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-44705922318858948472009-10-18T19:01:13.591-07:002009-10-18T19:01:13.591-07:00Dan,
Any update on the lawsuits you filed?
T^2Dan,<br /><br />Any update on the lawsuits you filed?<br /><br />T^2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-28004061474868071252009-10-18T13:27:46.317-07:002009-10-18T13:27:46.317-07:00Its a bitter moment when parents watch their kids ...Its a bitter moment when parents watch their kids go through a program as stale and rancid as Connected Math and finally realize three important years of learning mathematics are lost on a program that never produces what it promises.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-10501981135758024392009-10-18T13:18:34.476-07:002009-10-18T13:18:34.476-07:00The DOE's list of approved math programs is an...The DOE's list of approved math programs is another way of branding products, by making them appear to be all of the same high standards of excellence. <br /><br />Everyone knows by now this is total Cretan foppery. Anything with the DOE stamp of approval means made to make money. No experience necessary, just pay a congressman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-46712635634144851662009-10-18T13:12:01.162-07:002009-10-18T13:12:01.162-07:00You bring up an interesting point in the math wars...You bring up an interesting point in the math wars - it has to do branding products.<br /><br />Do you know how many math products are out there using the words "connect" and "math"?<br /><br />Connected Math<br />Connect Math<br />Connect Math Project<br />Math Connections<br />Connect Mathematics Group<br />Camp Connect Math<br /><br />The public is completely confused and for good reason.<br /><br />I am presuming you mean CMP2 published by Pearson Prentice Hall that is listed on the DOE's list of exemplary programs.<br /><br />Yes, it is seriously flawed. The most serious problem with the textbook is that it assumes students are already familiar with traditional mathematics algorthims. <br /><br />By Thanksgiving, most teachers have thrown the book away and started radical supplementation. You'd do better with math with pizzazz!<br /><br />Here's Pearson's pov (Hah!)<br /><br />"Connected Mathematics 2 (CMP2) is here! The next generation of your favorite NSF-funded middle school program provides students with an investigative approach to learning mathematics. This complete mathematics curriculum for grades 6–8 helps students utilize engaging interactive problems and motivating everyday situations to learn math concepts."<br /><br /><br />You might remember there was an attempt by publishers (marketeers) to brand Singapore. It failed because too many teachers saw through their deceit. <br /><br />Marketing 101 - You can't brand quality products with cheap imitations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-68704891224671039052009-10-15T14:59:09.305-07:002009-10-15T14:59:09.305-07:00Mr. Dempsey,
My 6th grader is being introduced t...Mr. Dempsey, <br /><br />My 6th grader is being introduced to "Connect Math" I have seen your "you tube" video. How much trouble are we in? I am very concerned about how prepared my child will be for college boards and SAT. <br />Can you give me more advice??? Where can I find more long term statistics?<br />Thank you! <br />A concerned parentAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15637019808390040700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-89670636677457809802009-10-05T19:12:50.696-07:002009-10-05T19:12:50.696-07:00That's right - middle school lacks a good seri...That's right - middle school lacks a good series of textbooks. So the teachers have to mesh various materials together. Its hit and miss. The problem continues in 9th grade because kids that have a C or less have to repeat the class. One problem with implementing is middle schools don't procure graphing calculators - and its hard with this age group especially if english is their second language. I have seen it. Secondly most classrooms don't have the overhead calculator or one connected to a television even. So DA is a poor choice for middle school. They'd be better off with something traditional that focuses on basic algorithms. Most students this age group have trouble visualizing fractions or converting to decimal and vice versa - its not taught in elementary school anymore.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-85587797327608634722009-10-05T09:09:26.722-07:002009-10-05T09:09:26.722-07:00At many high schools in the SPS the lowest level m...At many high schools in the SPS the lowest level math course offered is Discovering Algebra because no materials for high school below that were adopted.<br /><br />This is the book for any 8th graders taking Algebra. The fact that around 25% of 8th graders cannot score above level 1 does not concern the SPS administrators in the least for these kids are forced into "Discovering Algebra" at most high schools..<br /><br />By extension I guess the fact that Salmon Bay offers nothing below Discovering Algebra for grade 8 does not concern them either.<br /><br />This would be an excellent topic for a School Board testimony.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-870780689314633502009-10-04T19:53:26.643-07:002009-10-04T19:53:26.643-07:00Which textbook is your eighth grade using?Which textbook is your eighth grade using?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-19657946322222749572009-10-03T15:04:24.958-07:002009-10-03T15:04:24.958-07:00I have concerns about what’s going on at Salmon Ba...I have concerns about what’s going on at Salmon Bay. The 8th grade is using the 9th grade math curriculum, with the thought that, the kids who don’t do well will just get to do it again the next year and the other kids will have a head start for high school. This sounds like tracking and a VERY bad idea. The struggling kids will waste a year and be set up for failure. I can’t find any research that supports that idea, can you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-59330138513170876372009-09-21T06:34:31.839-07:002009-09-21T06:34:31.839-07:00T^2,
Going to court Oct 9, 2009.
DanT^2,<br /><br />Going to court Oct 9, 2009.<br /><br />Dandan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-53475546411571700372009-09-19T16:56:35.537-07:002009-09-19T16:56:35.537-07:00I am a Middle School Math Teacher and I created a ...I am a Middle School Math Teacher and I created a new free online <a href="http://hoodamath.com/" rel="nofollow">math games</a> site called hoodamath.comMichael Edlavitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02601616206980986294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983334520933101277.post-63527468850378050092009-09-19T10:22:29.341-07:002009-09-19T10:22:29.341-07:00Dan,
What is the latest on lawsuits you filed?
T...Dan,<br /><br />What is the latest on lawsuits you filed?<br /><br />T^2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com