CARL BOGARDUS spoke of SPELLING BY ROUTMAN to DAN TRIPLETT on 10-24-96
CB>I think they don't memorize them because its almost too late. The
CB>addition  and subtraction should be mastered in 1st and 2nd, the
CB>times table in the  third.  In England, facts are mastered a whole
CB>year ahead of the US as Kinder  is for 4yr olds and 5yr olds are in
CB>first. Probably would make some great  observer roll over in his
CB>grave.    
CB>This was true in England in the 50's and earlier, as my wife is from
CB>there  and I have questioned her "mum" as to earlier education
CB>practices.  
CB>Don't feel bad about the higher math, the way our system has and is
CB>set up,  it weeds out those who don't understand (but could) and lets
CB>only those that  already understand go on. To me, that is a great
CB>tragedy of our educational  process.
I wonder if we don't move some kids along too fast, going on to the next 
concept before the previous concepts are mastered.  Some kids are always 
playing catch up and it is a very frustrating game.  Your comments on 
England interest me and if I have an opportunity I'd explore them 
further.  I'm not sure what "facts" you are referring to when you speak 
of kindergarten math and 4 and 5 year old children.  My experience with 
5 year olds is that many have difficulty with one-to-one correspondence.  
We do work on graphing, patterning, counting, sequencing, shapes, and 
other things on a simple level.  It is my belief that beginning a year 
earlier would do little good.  Children's cognitive development limits 
them in what they can conceptually understand.  Still, children who come 
from homes where school matters and where learning is important (and 
they do stuff at home with the kids) these children come to kindergarten 
with a variety of skills and are usually ahead of their peers.  I do 
have children who can do simple addition and all math concepts come to 
them quickly.  I wonder how much our American culture (tv, nintendo, 
plethora of toys and gadgets to entertain) has hurt our kids in the long 
run?
Dan
--- GEcho 1.11+
---------------