Math class is hard

[pokerfan]

I have a BSEE degree and a minor in math. Yet, I am having a hell of a time helping my niece with her homework since she started 6th grade. We have something called "connected math" for grades 6-8.

Instead of computation, proofs and stressing logical thinking, the students are encouraged to explore and then explain their answers in writing.

What.The.Fuck? A mathematical solution doesn't require an essay. It simply stands on its own. Math is its own language.

There is nothing in her textbook about the associative and distributive properties, cross products or any of the tools and tricks that have been developed over the ages. I don't see how she is learning any of the skills she's going to need for algebra, geometry and trig.

I am one frustrated engineer. Never thought that I would unable to help my niece with her math.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

1. Boy, was I ahead of the times

I fought the mathematical system all throughout school, making up my own rules to solve a problem (of course, I never actually solved the problem!) It wasn't until I was an adult returning to school that I finally got it through my thick skull that there were a set of rules to follow, and if I followed them I'd get the right answer.

There are many places to be creative. Math doesn't seem to be one of them.

[pokerfan]

2. There's plenty of room for creativity

but one has to learn the language first. Otherwise it's like someone trying to poetry in a language they don't understand.

There is beauty in an elegant geometric proof. There is creativity in finding a novel and efficient method to solve a problem.

But I maintain that you need to be taught the fundamentals first.