- Target:
- the Minister of Education for the Province of British Columbia
- Region:
- Canada
- Website:
- www.wisemath.org
As a parent, I watched my children struggle with how Mathematics was taught at their respective elementary schools. If it were not for outside intervention at a math learning centre, as well as for the straightforward teaching concepts of a very dedicated teacher, they would still be struggling today.
I am shocked, dismayed and frustrated at the various math concepts that are employed in our classrooms today. As opposed to encouraging and teaching children to solve problems, these various methods simply confuse and overwhelm young minds.
Common sense math has been replaced with discovery based strategies...and our children are failing the grade. As a result, parents are either faced with the dilemma to enrol their children in math learning centres to receive the basic math instruction they need, switch over to private schools, or despair that their children will not learn these necessary math skills that they desperately need later on.
As with any crucial life skill, mathematics requires continuous practice, particularly in the early years. Common sense math MUST become the focus of our math curriculum, and I urge the Minister of Education for the province of British Columbia, to make these changes TODAY, before another group of our children stumble out into the workforce without the necessary math skills required.
We, the undersigned, demand that the Minister of Education for the province of British Columbia, take leadership on this initiative. We ask that you speak for the many parents across this province who want to see the end of the "Math Makes Sense" curriculum, and return to common sense mathematics in elementary school classrooms.
This initiative requires that children demonstrate mastery in math concepts including: multiplication tables to 10, knowing how to add and subtract in columns, using paper and pencil as opposed to using computer games to learn math skills, mastering long division and understanding basic fractions.
These crucial life skills MUST be instilled in our children and understood before advancement to Middle School. Let's give our children the same advantages of understanding math that we obtained. We need to make this investment TODAY, for the next generation, and for their future.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Mastering the basics of Mathematics in BC Schools petition to the Minister of Education for the Province of British Columbia was written by Tara Houle and is in the category Education at GoPetition.