When it comes to math, I’ve never been the brightest bulb in the box. Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, we didn’t have the luxury of growth mindsets; you either got math, or you didn’t. Spoiler alert: I was in the latter group. Fast forward to today, and I’m now a parent of four, three of whom are navigating the world of math in Florida public schools—aka the land of “new math.”
You might think I’d be rolling my eyes at all the new math strategies, but surprisingly, I’m not. Sure, it looks like a puzzle that even a GenXer like me struggles to solve. With boxes, hashmarks, and a plethora of word problems, it sometimes feels like I’ve stumbled into a foreign language. What on earth is an array, anyway? And the dreaded prompt, “Explain how you reached this answer”—can’t I just say, “I did the math”?
But here’s the twist: I’ve come to appreciate this new approach. As a self-proclaimed math-challenged person, I realize that breaking down concepts and teaching them in a relatable way might just give my kids a fighting chance at truly understanding math. In my day, I memorized formulas like my life depended on it, and if I forgot one? Game over. My kids, on the other hand, seem to have a different relationship with numbers. They still memorize multiplication tables, but they’re also learning to think flexibly, which blows my mind.
Just last week, I visited my second grader’s class to conduct a Math Superstars lesson. After one word problem, I explained a method for reaching the answer. A little boy raised his hand, “Mrs. Johnson, I did it a different way!” He proceeded to share his unique method, and guess what? He arrived at the same answer! I would have never thought of his approach, but it was just as valid. Another student began solving a problem with circles and hashmarks before I even had a chance to jump in, and he got the right answer. I’m still in awe—this confidence and creativity in problem-solving was something I could only dream of at their age. What if this mindset extends beyond math and shapes how they tackle challenges in life?
While many parents express frustration with Common Core, often viewing the new math as its unwelcome offspring, I’m not entirely against the Common Core standards. I do have my qualms about excessive testing—my kids seem to face more tests than a reality show contestant. However, I believe that some assessment is necessary. The problem lies in the sheer volume of it, which can stifle creativity in the classroom.
Despite my mixed feelings about Common Core, I’ve noticed that the new math strategies are effective. It may not resemble the math I grew up with, but then again, neither do my smartphone or my dashboard. Embracing innovation isn’t just for technology; it can enrich our educational methods too. Yes, it can be complicated and demanding, but it encourages my children to think critically and engage with math in a way I never did.
So, when my kid hits a snag with his math homework, I do my best to help. If I find myself utterly lost, I’m not afraid to send a question mark back to his teacher. They get it—I’m not the biggest fan of “new math,” and it can be frustrating. But my kids? They’re adapting just fine, learning math remarkably well.
In the end, even my math-challenged brain can see the value in this modern approach.
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In summary, embracing “new math” has its challenges, but it offers our children a fresh perspective on problem-solving. It encourages them to think outside the box and develop a deeper understanding of mathematics—something we could all benefit from.