Making Sense of "New Math" (but is it really new?) with Cindy Evarts, Nationally Board Certified Math Educator

One of the universal themes a parent with a school age child can relate to is feelings toward math. Whether the child's feelings toward math are those of anxiety or excitement, frustration is often experienced as families try to tackle nightly math homework around the dinner table. Join us as we welcome Nationally Board Certified, Presidential Award Winner for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, and veteran educator and curriculum consulter, Cindy Evarts. Cindy explains how "new" math is actually OLD and answers questions and provides tips for parents who often seem confused about why the student can't do math the way "I was taught." She also supports fellow educators with suggestions in teaching parents and students alike about the math methods shared in today's classrooms. She compares and contrasts how math is taught in the US and how that is shaped by legislation and political influence and compares and contrasts this to how math is taught around the world. We have an important discussion about age old beliefs and practices surrounding how girls are taught math and discuss gender differences in math education. Cindy shares her experiences with Lego Robotics and how using this and other practical examples of real problems solved with math excite her students. She also answers our questions about the best ways early math concepts are introduced to young children, whether basic math fact memorization is important, if we should care about finger counting, and if she thinks we push higher math concepts too early. Most importantly, she shares tips and resources for parents, students, and educators that will hopefully help to turn math anxiety into math excitement. Don't miss this episode. It will make your life easier!