calculators in first grade????

[LdyBluNH@aol]

this bugs me to no end

first grade is for learning fundamentals and i dont feel these are appropriate to be used during math class and yet they will be

i'm feeling so overwhelmed by The System that i don't feel like i have any leg to stand on to argue this

i looked at the math book and it said right in it to use calculator or some sort of line thing (counting line, number line)

if i demand my dd not use it, i figure she'll just use someone else's

is this really common and is there any hope to fight it?

[TiredX2]

What would you possibly use a calculator for in the 1st grade?!?!?!

[aniT]

My dd just finished the 1st grade and they did NOT use calculators. Of course I have no idea what the book said since I never once saw a math book all year!! Using blocks or beads or other forms of manipulatives are OK however in my opinion.

[CarrieMF]

No calculators here for 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade, don't know about further up.

In 1st they did use a 1-100 graph and a number line.

[mammastar2]

That does seem odd. I can understand a number line - that's a great learning tool to help understand the relationships among the numbers. Is it just what the text/workbook that you were looking at says, or do you know it's what the teacher does in the classroom?

[LdyBluNH@aol]

the calculators are at each and every child's desk and i looked at the math book itself, it had some exercises where it said to use the calculator

[lauren]

In our school calculators aren't used until 4th grade.

[mammastar2]

I don't agree with them being at every desk, then! At that age, I believe that the focus should be on making math concepts concrete - using counters, number lines, rods, real-life examples, bundles of tens and ones when you're learning to carry over, etc. If you skip straight to calculators, it all stays abstract and mysterious. Calculators can be important tools, but to skip straight to using them, in my view, would deprive kids of a fundamental understanding of the processes involved.

[shelbean91]

Originally Posted by mammastar2

I don't agree with them being at every desk, then! At that age, I believe that the focus should be on making math concepts concrete - using counters, number lines, rods, real-life examples, bundles of tens and ones when you're learning to carry over, etc. If you skip straight to calculators, it all stays abstract and mysterious. Calculators can be important tools, but to skip straight to using them, in my view, would deprive kids of a fundamental understanding of the processes involved.

:

Do you have any alternative schools or could you discuss your concerns with the teacher?

[Marsupialmom]

Do research on the name of the program. You might find you will have to pick up the slack at home.

[LdyBluNH@aol]

do research on what program??

[Marsupialmom]

On the math program they are using.

I know some schools are ussing seriously flawed system. Since I do not know what they are using or THAT schools implementation of it I cannot help you.

Google the title and manufature of the book she uses to see what or if anything negative comes up.

[lizann]

ds just started first grade two weeks ago and I have not heard from him or the teacher that he needs a calculator.
i'd check with the teacher also and see what her experience is. This doesn't make sense to me either.

[meemee]

terri the math book said use either calculator or number/counting line. tell the teacher u would prefer the number line or counting line. but if i were u i would be really investigating this and raising a stinker about it - protesting politely by informing the teacher and principal about ur wishes.

the calculator has been a toy for my dd since she was an infant but no way on earth am i going to give her one till she starts scientific calculations like log, calculus whichever grade that may be.

[melissel]

Calculaters

My dd is starting 1st grade and they will also be using calculaters in class. I also feel this is inappropriate but don't know what to do about it.

-Jenni

[lorijds]

Oh, I don't know, I guess it depends upon how they are used. If they are used *instead* of learning the math fundamentals, sure, that's a problem. If they are used as an introduction to a tool, similar to a number line or other manipulatives, that can sometimes help you solve a problem, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

Instead of freaking out, go talk to the teacher. Explain your concerns and listen to the response. If they've used this program for a while, talk to some teachers and parents of kids in the upper grade to get their impressions of how children are learning the fundamentals of math. It may be you are getting bent out of shape over nothing. Your concerns about your child's education are *never* invalid. I just think that it is important to get the facts from the teacher and then go from there. This may very well be something that needs to be addressed at the curriculum level. I suspect, though, the calculators aren't used as much as you might think.

Good luck getting to the bottom of it. What is the name of the kids' textbook, by the way? We use Trailblazers. At first I was skeptical -- but I'm sold. After seeing it in action a few years, I have been pleased. But I don't remember it calling for calculators in first grade...flash cards, yes, calculators, no. Counting line, yes. I was like, no counting lines...they need to learn to do this in their heads!! But I figured I could teach that at home if I needed to, and it turns out the counting line was a good thing for my dd, and she learned to add without much additional intervention at home!

Lori

[moondiapers]

Get a look at your child's mathbook as a whole. My children use Sadler Oxford. Once per chapter there is a page or two for calculator use. It's intended to be fun, and used AFTER the chapter is completed. The purpose is to slowly familiarize the children with calculator use, also not to trust the calculator 100%, if the answer doesn't make sense etc.



-Heather