2nd graders using calculators on test

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2nd graders using calculators on test; LPS/EM written assessment
Topic Started: Apr 3 2009, 11:43 AM (165 Views)
Ava	Apr 3 2009, 11:43 AM Post #1
Advanced Member Posts: 46 Group: Members Member #238 Joined: September 19, 2007	Question on my child's math test: You buy: Oranges 1 lb @ $1.49 lb and Yogurt 6-pack at $2.09 a. Estimate the total cost. b. Use a calculator. Find the exact cost. Write the amount in dollar-and-cents notation. 2nd graders are using calculators on a test???! I will be tutoring my child in math this summer. Edited by Ava, Apr 3 2009, 11:44 AM.



Whatever	Apr 3 2009, 12:03 PM Post #2
Advanced Member Posts: 595 Group: Members Member #206 Joined: June 4, 2007	Why is a calculator necessary to add $1.49 + $2.09? This is a basic math problem that any 7 year old should be able to do on a test without a calculator.



Momof4	Apr 3 2009, 01:00 PM Post #3
Advanced Member Posts: 331 Group: Members Member #330 Joined: April 22, 2008	I've said it before, but sadly, it is like we are dumbing down our kids. What my one son did in 6th grade at Riley didn't compare to the work required by the one who was at Hoover for 6th grade. Really? Use a calculator? There are no math skills learned if you use a calculator. Good choice to get a tutor because Everyday Math is NOT Everywhere in the real world math.



Whatever	Apr 3 2009, 02:26 PM Post #4
Advanced Member Posts: 595 Group: Members Member #206 Joined: June 4, 2007	The district should use some common sense and cross out the word calculator and make the kids do the math. I don't know what skills they are assessing when they allow a calculator on a test for 2nd graders.



LPS Reformer	Apr 5 2009, 12:25 PM Post #5
The schools exist to educate, not employ. Posts: 2,504 Group: Members Member #10 Joined: May 8, 2007	Whatever Apr 3 2009, 02:26 PM The district should use some common sense and cross out the word calculator and make the kids do the math. I don't know what skills they are assessing when they allow a calculator on a test for 2nd graders. The ability to operate a calculator?
	LPS Reform Blog++++LPS Salary List 12/07 LPS Salary List 6/09 Contact me at: LPSReformer@gmail.com


UglyBetty	Apr 5 2009, 01:56 PM Post #6
Advanced Member Posts: 45 Group: Members Member #48 Joined: May 11, 2007	The students were probably estimating their answer on the first part and then using the calculator to see how close their guess or estimate was to the actual answer. It seems to me that it was a question with two parts - assessing how well the child can estimate and then using the calculator to check. Why not just ask the teacher?



Whatever	Apr 5 2009, 02:20 PM Post #7
Advanced Member Posts: 595 Group: Members Member #206 Joined: June 4, 2007	Hello? This is supposed to be a test. They're checking to see if they know how to check their answers on the calculator? Why not just have them add the two numbers together? Or is that bad? Learning a step by step method to solve a problem with pencil and paper is considered "rote learning"; mindlessly entering digits on a calculator requires "critical thinking." Edited by Whatever, Apr 5 2009, 02:48 PM.



mathmom	Apr 5 2009, 07:47 PM Post #8
Advanced Member Posts: 48 Group: Members Member #332 Joined: May 11, 2008	Whatever Apr 3 2009, 02:26 PM The district should use some common sense and cross out the word calculator and make the kids do the math. I don't know what skills they are assessing when they allow a calculator on a test for 2nd graders. Just because it says calculator, doesn't mean that all teachers allow calculator use. My son is not allowed to use one to simplify fractions even though EM teaches it. He is expected to do it on paper.



On The Go	Apr 7 2009, 07:37 PM Post #9
Advanced Member Posts: 40 Group: Members Member #111 Joined: May 18, 2007	I remember when my son took that test as a second grader last year. He was mad because they were told that they had to use a calculator and he knew that he could figure it out easily without the calculator!



Vanna White	Apr 7 2009, 09:27 PM Post #10
Advanced Member Posts: 809 Group: Members Member #32 Joined: May 10, 2007	mathmom Apr 5 2009, 07:47 PM Whatever Apr 3 2009, 02:26 PM The district should use some common sense and cross out the word calculator and make the kids do the math. I don't know what skills they are assessing when they allow a calculator on a test for 2nd graders. Just because it says calculator, doesn't mean that all teachers allow calculator use. My son is not allowed to use one to simplify fractions even though EM teaches it. He is expected to do it on paper. You and your son are very lucky. Many teachers are following the EM program when it comes to calculator use. There are many pages in each workbook at each grade level that show at the top when a calculator is allowed. Your son's teacher is giving her students much needed practice with arithmatic procedures by ignoring it.


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