Calculator

Today is a big day in math. I purchased a math workbook at Staples for Zachary to use. This workbook is going to be our training book for using a calculator. I thought I could just throw the workbook and calculator and tell him to get after it. But, no! I actually had to do a few as examples to get him started. However, after that he was off.

You may be asking why am I showing or allowing my 8 year old to use a calculator. Shouldn't he still be working addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in his head? The answer is yes he should be but he also needs to learn how to correctly use a calculator. He will continue doing his regular math program, TXVA 4th grade, without the calculator. This way he will be doing both, math without a calculator and math with a calculator.

As a student gets into higher math they eventually learn how to use a calculator and on certain standardized test they can use a calculator. I am teaching my son how to use his brain and the calculator.

Mathematically gifted boy finally gets what he needs

http://oilf.blogspot.com/2010/01/mathematically-gifted-boy-finally-gets.html

Follow the link above to a story about a gifted boy who finally got math at his level and how it changed the way he acted and his medication.

I wished all schools would see that educating a child at the child's academic level and not by the child's age is best for everyone not only gifted children.

On a side note we are talking with the local community college about a math course for Zachary starting next August. The continuing education department has agreed to allowing him to take the course through their department now we only have to get the college's approval for him to take it either through them or through continuing education department.