The problem: America is falling dreadfully behind in primary/secondary education, ranking 31st in math (behind most of Eastern Europe, even!) and 23rd in Science (from page 106 of Tom Friedman & Michael Mandlebaum’s That Used to Be Us). For more information on the scary state of American primary/secondary education read chapter 6, Homework x 2 = the American Dream in That Used to Be Us.
The solution: Don’t rely on the school system – teach your children well. This could mean home schooling, but it could also mean providing resources.
I have no kids. But I have 13 ‘grands’ – 9 grandnieces and 4 grandnephews. I care about my family. I care about the next generation. And I care about America. Tom Friedman/Michael Mandlebaum’s book got my attention (in fact, I wrote two reviews in this blog – here and here). With no offense meant to Eastern Europe, it was the thought of being behind Slovenia in math that discouraged me. Really? We’ve had so many advantages, they’ve had a hard run of it and they’re beating us in math?
So in my “think locally, act globally” mindset I decided that our family’s 13 members of GenFour (all age 7 and under) would be a great place to start. I went to Google and typed in math and science books for preschoolers, got a list and sent it to each of my five nieces/nephews who are parents, suggesting that they pick a book for each child (age appropriate – we didn’t get books on math for infants).
My favorite response was from my niece Mary, who wrote:
Dear Diane,
Thank you again for offering to buy a book for Isla. We are lovers of books around here.
I don’t know why, but it has been totally stressing me out trying to pick a book. I want to get something that will be useful for us, but also something that you will enjoy giving her.
My final solution is this. I am giving you a list to choose from. Any one of the books listed below (the singular books or one off the list) would be much appreciated. Please get her which ever one speaks to you the most.
http://www.amazon.com/Homeschool-Kindergarten-Math-Books/lm/R8W9AYFNX37U0
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Fractions-Jerry-Pallotta/dp/0439389011“
Well – what’s a doting grand-aunt to do? Of course I bought all three.
Mary then sent me THIS email:
“Thank you so much for the books. So far Big Mama Cat and Apple Fractions have come. We have read them both a bunch of times, and we are really enjoying them. Isla has already learned a bunch from them. She understands so much more about fractions. She can read the names of fractions now (1/2 is one half and 3/4 is three fourths). She now knows what a numerator and denominator is. She understands that when the numerator and the denominator are the same, the fraction equals one whole. Big Mama Cat has helped her a lot, too. She now knows about reading o’clock. When we first got the book, she read 12:00 as twelve oh oh. Now she says twelve o’clock. She also is figuring out about the big hand points to the first number. So, great stuff! We look forward to getting the third book.”
Isla is five years old. I think I was in third grade when we started learning fractions. I don’t think Isla will fall behind Slovenian kids in math.
If our institutions are failing us, WE can take back our power. If you have children, help them learn things that will matter. If you are an aunt/uncle, grandaunt/granduncle, godparent or just a person who cares, buy books or academic supplies for kids in your life. Or help a school with needed supplies (I’d pick math, science or financial literacy skills, but that’s me) using a charity my friend Tammy aka Agrigirl told me about – Donors Choose.
After all, we know the alternative, dont’ we? (see picture below)
Minimum wage Barbie is frightening!!! But I love your idea…and I am thinking about books to buy for Mikey ( my nephew). I already have all the reading books anyone could ever need – ’cause that’s my area of interest – but this is very helpful and will round him out!!! I agree that we need to do all we can to promote understanding across the disciplines. We regularly buy books for the kids in their areas of interest – but we also try to expand on that. Great motivator!!!
Michele – thanks for your comments. I’m more a liberal arts type gal myself, but I fully get that it is math and science that lead to technological innovation – and I think they are key for our country’s ongoing prosperity. Plus we live in a physical universe – good to understand it!
My niece Julia told me about the system she is using to home school her 6 1/2 year old son on math – Right-Start Mathematics. Her cousin is also using this to homeschool her 5 year old daughter. My sister reports that Isla (the 5 year old) differentiate between school (okay) and math (fun!) using this program. Have a look at their website – http://www.rightstartmath.com/ – or their Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/rightstartmath?sk=wall#!/rightstartmath?sk=wall
I will have to try to find the email you sent (I can’t find it for some reason) as Jacinta loves math and chooses it over other subjects to work on outside of school. I know she would love a math or science book to add to her workbooks.
Another great gift idea that helps form mathematical reasoning is the sequencing card game SET. I bought it for Jacinta for her 6th birthday and we love to play together. They also have a daily puzzle online- http://www.setgame.com/set/index.html.
Daniella – thank you so much for your reply! And thanks for the tip on SET and the daily puzzles – great stuff for the little people! As your aunt, my offer stands – send me the URL of a math and/or science book for Jacinta (and Serafina) and I’ll supply them. Not sure if there any for kids as young as Avi, but if you find one, I’ll get it. Thank you for caring that your children get strong, practical skills! Keep America strong through educating your children!
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