UGH! 8th Grade Math

[ttaylor508]

I don't know if the idea was to solve using algebra. The "new" math, as they call it, really tries to get kids to understand what they are doing, not to simply do the problem and get the right answer using a specific method. When my kids first started elementary, they had a meeting at the school to introduce the "new" math concept and why they are using it. I get whey they are teaching it this way, but I still don't understand all of the methods. I still use the traditional math that I was taught in school which totally confuses my kids when I try to help them. Luckily, DD is a good student and usually doesn't ask me for math help. I think she was just stuck because she had missed two days of lessons. The teachers is actually really great and I emailed her to tell her my daughter was struggling and she is going to sit down with her today.

Thanks for all of the help. I was totally at my wits ends yesterday trying to figure the problem out.

[TsPoet]

I think you are all off by 2x - A triangle is 1/2 of a square, the LxW=area applies to a square, not a triangle. In order to solve the problem, you must know that it is a right triangle as well.

NEVERMIND, my math skills are better than my reading skills, no one was talking about a triangle except me - everyone else was talking about a rectangle.

I'll guy bury my head in the sand now.

[DDH]

Here is a great website I found yesterday trying to help my son who is also eight grade with his algebra. You may not like it, but it's worth a look.


http://khanacademy.org/#Singapore%20Math

[ttaylor508]

DDH-- awesome resource. thanks!

[Aggie_Ama]

Moms I feel for you! A couple of years ago I studied to go into teaching, including taking the certification tests. I was only a couple of years removed from college algebra, statistics (two semesters) and calculus which I made 3 B's and an A in. But that test for middle school math was gut wrenching and included trigonometry, geometry, algebra! Hang in there, they made it to 8th grade only a few more years of math then they go to college where the math graduate students sponsor tutoring.

[Cataboo]

It cracks me up when my sister calls because she's having trouble helping my niece with her homework in 2nd grade. The new math is giving her fits.