Wow! My kids are still in preschool and 1st grade. Luckily, I've got single digit addition and subtraction down (lol) but I'm terrified of what will happen when they get older. I've heard many horror stories like yours of parents being unable to help with math because it's done in such a different way than when we were students. (Is it true that there's no more "carry the 1"?!?!) I'm sorry I can offer a good answer but I totally feel your pain. I'm going to subscribe to this question so I can follow it. I'm hoping someone will send us a "magic wand" resource that will help all of us learn "the new math"!

most of the "new math" comes from a scientific model for teaching mathematics called Everyday Math. The link I've included offers general information and parent information sheets which should also be availible through your kid's school.

Nothing is wrong with what we learned in the 60's, 70's and so on...
Things to do:
Go to the teacher & get sample worksheets for yourself & child to work on
Go to the tutoring center in the school find out how it is done
Visit the classroom and sit in a learn from that teacher
Teacher say the want you to visit but a few days of visiting can give you a clear understanding of teaching style & the pretending because your their visiting
Ask that teacher to explain her methods of teaching math that way
& take notes, this way you will know exactly what, how to perform & figure out the math. It can't hurt but you will learn something.

I can't tell you why it has changed so much. I ended up pulling my fifth grader out of public school this year and found a great program to teach her math. www.time4learning.com  It teaches step by step and you may want to take a few minutes to check it out. Also, I would make an appointment with the superintendant and inform them that you expect more information on your childs education or speak about it during the public comments of the board meeting. You are your childs voice, use it and show her you are on her side and care. GOOD LUCK

I so much feel your pain. My daughter is to in 7th grade this year and has always been a straight A student. She is also getting an F. My daughter gets physically sick when she takes a math test and it has gotten so bad that we are at each other necks yelling all the time. I feel like a horrible parent, but I am not sure what to do. I have had the teacher try to explain what they are doing, but I have to say I must have a handicap because it is still greek to me. I am worried that she is going to hate Math forever and it is sad because that was my best and favorite subject.

My now 4th grade daughter loves math and thinks it is exciting, but I worry she will to hate it when she gets into 7th grade. They need to have classes for free to teach the parents these new concepts so they can help their children succeed. Sorry I know I am no help but I needed to vent.

Hi DRoarkNC,

I wish I had a solution for you; I can only provide solace in knowing that you are not alone.  The confusing part of "Everyday Math" is actually what is called "Chicago Math."  There is a link in another post above to the uchicago (hence the name "Chicago Math"--where it was developed).  

I just stumbled upon this wonderful link from a disgruntled parent of 3 very different students in a good school district (his words).  His letter clearly gives scenarios on how Chicago Math is failing his children.  The irony is that he has undergrad and advanced mathematics degrees, and runs a math website!  There are also links at the bottom of his letter to other math professionals who are disturbed with the trend of using Chicago Math.

My advice (which I am actually about to follow with my own child, providing I can find a "traditional" textbook): teach your kids traditional math "on the side."  If they have to endure Chicago Math in school, okay...BUT, they need to understand the concepts that they are "shortcutting" by using the Chicago Math algorithms and methodology.  I can't guarantee that teaching traditional math will aid your student, but if they are already failing, it can't make things much worse.

It seems like when I was a kid, the "traditional" method allows kids to understand, truly *understand*, what they are doing and why they are getting the end result.  Chicago Math focuses on the "algorithm" used to solve the equation; but, those algorithms are not something that can be realized in one's head.  In other words: without a pencil & paper (or a calculator) to do the complicated processes, kids that learn only this way rarely internalize the ability to do multiplication & division (concepts my student is studying now).  At least this is my perspective.  Check your local stores--kids that work there who learned "Chicago Math" can barely add change.

It's the equivalent to when the schools decided to shelve "phonics" as the proper way to learn to read & write.  I worked as a music teacher at the time they were making a shift to the "new" way to teach reading/writing in the 90's, and I could actually tell which students were the last groups to have phonics and which students had the "whole learning method," or whatever they called it.  Needless to say, I could tell the difference in the students because the kids who had phonics could actually read.

Because most of the teachers can not do the traditional math themselves.  We continue to pay more and more money to educators and their supervisors without expecting and demanding performance equal to the pay they are receiving.  When I say pay I include in that benefits.  Chicago Math or Everday Math as the new math is being tagged is dumbing down our kids to the point that the smart kids are to smart to be dumbed down that far and are failing.  Take your kids our of the government run school system and support private schools that will teach them what they need to know.  They private schools are expensive but so is that new vehicle you drive or boat or vacation you take.  Invest in your child.

As the generations change. People's values change. They really don't want your child to learn. They only want to teach your child just enough to pass. Many schools don't even have an open door policy. They saw you interfere with the child learning. So untrue. If anything it would make the child focus more.

why have math change and school alot to me it has not change

I was trying to help my grandaughter who is in the fourth grade with her math today. She is a GT student and works hard to keep her grades up but when we were going through 3 digit multiplication and division she informed me that they aren't supposed to show their work and that their teacher counts off if they carry the one over on multiplication! They allow them to use calculators in the classroom for daily work but they can't use it for tests because the tests are multiple choice! How can they learn the concepts of mathmatics if they use calculators and the tests are multiple choice?  I don't understand how this could possible be considered educating our children.