My oldest daughter is in second grade. They just finished working on adding two, two-digit numbers together. Apparently the old way of doing things is no longer the correct way of doing things.
For example:
The “old” way
23
+12
____
35
Remember this? You started with the ones column and added those numbers together. If the answer was more than ten you carried the number into the tens column. Next you moved on to the tens column and added those together. That’s how you got the answer. Simple and efficient.
Now let’s take a look at the “new” way of doing things.
23
+12
_____
20 + 10 = 30
3 + 2 = 5
+___
35
When adding Partial Sums in Everyday Math you start with the largest column and work your way down to the smaller ones, essentially backwards from what was previously taught. It just seems like so much more writing and work.
I’ve just started to see this type of thing coming home for the past few weeks, so I admit, I’m VERY new to it. I’m curious what you think about this type of “new math.” Whether you are a new parent with preschoolers, or a parent of a high schooler that completed Everyday Math all through elementary school I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks and wish me luck! I wonder what I’ll have to relearn for tonight’s homework?!?
-Pete
