Last weekend Katrina was studying her math on her computer, using a program that was recommended by the school. I've heard high praise for it, but have not yet ponied up the $80 subscription to allow her full access to the site.
"Daddy, why do I need to know math?" my seven-year-old asked.
"I use math every day," I told her, explaining that math is important for photography.
As an example, I had her turn on all six pot lights in the family room. For six lights, I said, I have my camera set this way. But if you turn off three lights, then there is half the light in the room, and I have to change my camera one F-stop.
At the beginning of the school year, Katrina was struggling with very basic arithmetic. She tried to explain it to me, parroting the new math curriculum that made no sense to me whatsoever. The heck with that noise. We pulled out an abacus that my soon-to-be 16-year-old sister used, and we were off to the races. If billions of Asian people used an abacus for math, so can my daughter.
It worked. Now she's getting high marks on her homework. We'll see how her most recent test pans out. No calculators for my kid just yet.
My friend Douglas, who happens to be pretty astute about numbers himself, rails on about the lack of math skills among adults these days.
"People don't understand math from a consumer level to retirement planning to employment to EVERYTHING," he says. "Advertising capitalizes on the lack of math skills in the general population.
"A couple of years ago, I went to a home show. I was looking at hot tubs. I was curious how much they cost. EVERY vendor was advertising the monthly payment. I don't care what the payment is! I want to know what the total price is. Based on the posters, they were catering to the general population that is more interested in the monthly payment than the total cost."
I have to agree with Douglas there. Ever notice cars and trucks are now advertised with bi-weekly payments, to hide the true cost?
He goes on, "Big box credit cards come with 0 per cent interest for a year. How many people understand the retroactive interest is applied if the ENTIRE balance isn't paid at the one-year anniversary?
"Electric cars! Good deal! How much of a price premium must be paid? How many litres of fuel could this extra charge pay for?
"The banks ask about your income. Everyone boasts their income. I make this! I make that! WHO CARES! How much to you keep at the end of the year?
"Are you on the never-never plan?
"If so, it doesn't matter how much money you make!"
Indeed. And we both feel that the lack of financial knowledge as adults is directly attributable to poor comprehension of math, right from an early age.
The provincial Ministry of Education announced Feb. 27 they were seeking feedback on the current math curriculum over the month of March.
"Having wrapped up the consultations with educators across Saskatchewan, we're confident that we have a good idea of their thoughts and opinions around the effective instruction of the math curriculum," Education Minister Donna Harpauer said in a news release. "Now, we want to hear from parents or guardians of students who are learning this math. What are the experiences and opinions of the parents and guardians whose children are bringing this math home? Hearing from all different selections of the population who are engaging with the math curriculum will help us to understand the areas that are working, as well as identify opportunities for change."
Dear. Ms. Harpauer: This new system of math sucks. If I can't explain basic arithmetic to my Grade 2 daughter using it, it needs to go. Oh yeah, and I studied calculus during my university days, so I think I get it. In the meantime, I might be buying a subscription to IXL Math for my daughter.
If you would like to add your comments, go to the Ministry of Education website at www.education.gov.sk.ca and click on the feature titled "Math Feedback." The link for math feedback will be operational throughout the month of March.
Brian Zinchuk is editor of Pipeline News. He can be reached at brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net
