Archive - Traditional Math

The Opportunity Costs of Procedures vs Understanding

For those who have followed my writing, my apologies if you’ve heard this before: I majored in math, but didn’t know why the invert and multiply rule…

Apr 21 •

March 2024

Further Thoughts on the Standard Algorithm for Multi-digit Addition and Subtraction

In my last post, I talked about different beliefs held by math teachers and others regarding when the standard algorithm for multi-digit addition and…

Mar 13 •

Teaching Math With "Fidelity"

I recently saw a discussion among parents on the internet which included a note that one parent received from his son’s teacher: “Do not teach your…

Mar 12 •

October 2023

Interview w/ me and my co-author

J.R. Wilson and I were interviewed on Bill Davidson’s podcast, regarding our book “Traditional Math” and on math education in general. It’s a little…

Oct 22, 2023 •

Explaining one's answer in math: revisited

Back in November, 2015, online Atlantic published an article that Katharine Beals and I wrote on explaining your answer in math. It generated many…

Oct 10, 2023 •

September 2023

Ninjas and superheroes in a world of unicorns

Originally written in April, 2018

Sep 29, 2023 •

That "math wars" stuff

A "nuanced" discussion

Sep 19, 2023 •

Struggling to Learn the Breaststroke

In the introduction to our book Traditional Math, I state that “I try to stem struggling with a problem and aim to have students be successful. My…

Sep 11, 2023 •

Procedures vs Understanding in Math

This article is excerpted from “Math Education in the U.S.” (Chapter 10) I went to school in the 50’s and 60’s when students first learned how to add…

Sep 2, 2023 •

August 2023

The Truly Brilliant, the Stupid People, and Equity for All

This is an excerpt (Chapter 21) from Confessions of a 21 Century Math Teacher. Although written in 2015, it is relevant to the California Framework for…

Aug 22, 2023 •

Say it often enough, and people will believe it

I just read this piece about math education. On the whole it wasn’t too bad, but this one quote caught my attention, because the logic (or illogic) of…

Aug 7, 2023 •

July 2023

The Poster Children of Math Education

(From "Math Education in the U.S.")

Jul 22, 2023 •

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