OK, I guess I will put this thought/question out there, even though I'll probably get some spirited comments one way or another.
Why do children have to learn math fact families????? I don't ever remember learning math fact families, and I went pretty far in math in school. I like math, and I enjoy teaching it, but what's with this fact family stuff. I didn't go over it a whole lot with Sarah, we would talk about it a bit, nothing big, and she's doing fine. Any problems she might have with math, doesn't include fact families. It seems like another rule Paulie is going to have to try to learn, and learning different rules is not his strong point. I mean, if the boy knows how to add and subtract, does it really matter if he knows his fact families? Does it really matter if he can recite his fact families, or even his addition facts quickly? Isn't it enough that he knows how to add and subtract, even if it takes him a second or two to figure out the problem? Why did they start this? I'm not being sarcastic, I truly want to know why they started that. As I've begun teaching my children at home, I'm realizing how much extra 'stuff' they (whoever they are) add to learning things. I mean, when I was in school, I learned the basics. It wasn't fancy, glitzy or 'new', it was the basics, and the basics have gotten me quite far. I was working in the computer department of the company I worked for, so the basics I learned in math must have been good. I know I sound like I'm ranting, and maybe I am. And I might offend some who think all this, what seems to me as 'extra' stuff, is worth it, I just don't see the necessity for it.
But, with the chance of getting some intense comments, I would like to know your thoughts and opinions on this. Just wondering when and why they started this, and how knowing fact families is suppose to help, beyond maybe it will help them get through an addition problem a second or two faster. But I guess I'll stop there. If I keep going I might offend someone with my thoughts on sentence diagramming.
I am always amazed at what "they" are now adding to the "learning table".
One of the reason why I homeschool, is to do it MY way, and like you, I am teaching the basics.
I just found out yesterday that my 9yr old dd can fill in the whole "Times Table" as they call it, and it is not because I had her "practice" remembering them in order. It is because "what I have taught her" so far, she had the common sense to fill it in.
Just stick to what you know and it will be enough. My oldest dd is making straight A's in her college classes and it had nothing to do with me, lol !!
Hi JoAnn,
I think every other year they change the names of things in math just to keep parents guessing. My niece told me she was learning "regrouping" in ps, and I nodded knowingly, but I thought, Oh brother, what's REGROUPING??" I later found out it is carrying in addition. I do think there is some merit in learning the times tables, but the addition and subtraction families are sort of learned by default, aren't they? And hey, I am with you on sentence diagramming, which explains why I can't choose an English curriculum for my kids this year... I don't want to pay money for info we aren't going to bother with!
Sally
Just skip it! :) If it isn't helping Paulie learn it better and it might just confuse him, why bother??? I could see for some child that rules really help them learn, it might be helpful but for other kids like my PC who has trouble learning the "rules" it doesn't help but hinders. As for sentence diagramming, we'll you wouldn't want me to get started on that!!! I plan to teach it just enough so when someone is complaining about diagramming a sentence, my children know what they are talking about!!! lol!! :)
I don't do fact families - and what's even worse....I don't do flashcards either - GASP! ( and yet my kids are still doing well in math!) ;-)
As for sentence diagramming...call me crazy, but I actually think it's kind-of fun! I don't think it's a necessary life skill, though, and I wouldn't feel too guilty about skipping it.
It's just another tool to aid with memorization, and to help see how things correlate/connect to one another. (if you know one member of the family, then you know all 4) It can be a very efficient way of learning math facts. If he doesn't need it then don't stress. But some kids respond well to it.
As for diagramming, I have a pastor friend who used diagramming to study the Bible. He says it's very helpful to know what is referring to whom. I happen to love it myself. But that's just me.
Hey JoAnn, I am also right there with you concerning the fact families/diagramming. I have struggled with it and finally gave up with oldest. Be 6th grade he had the multiplication down pretty well without all the memorization. I am doing the same with all the others and it seems to be working. The more the kids use multiplication, the more familiar they become with the answers. Repetition works one way or another! Tammy
I am with you too. I even let my kids *gasp* "cheat" by using a multiplication chart when doing their math work. After using it for a year my dd is still inclined to grab it for some of the tougher ones and her little brother gave it up months ago bc it was too much work, he had learned them and could write the answer quicker than it took to look it up! Way to go Mom, do what works and toss the "experts" advice, YOU are the expert on your dc.
I started teaching fact families, but gave up . The children know the facts and I'm happy with that.
My kids are struggling with this type of problem: A + 4 = 7. They look at it and think 4 and 7 is 11. ACK. Is this part of every math program at the early elementary level.
I am a wife and mother of two. I started this blog to share the things the Lord shows me in my journey as a wife, mother, homeschool mom and His daughter. And in it all to "grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
II Peter 3:18
