Advanced Math Earlier

 

     Let's Talk About Learning Advanced Math Earlier! 

     I believe that students can learn
advanced math earlier than has been customary.

     Young minds are inquisitive and energetic
and absorb ideas like a sponge.  I was ready
for more math in grade school but I just learned
at the pace it was taught.

     Quite often we hear of a young boy or girl,
aged ten or less, who is good at math, playing
with masters and grandmasters.

     These children are at the right end
of the bell curve and there is a continuum
of children whose ability to excel in math
is limited by lack of exposure and practice.

     I believe that when teachers are
competent in the subject matter,
then they should not hesitate to
introduce younger children to very advanced
ideas early, in a simple manner.

     I believe this is one of the main
tenets of the Chicago Math Project.
"The Chicago Math Project is well known
for its approach to integrating fundamental
and advanced mathematical concepts."

     Being holistic (that is, teaching
the whole range of math) is the way to go
if the text and curriculum are well-designed
and if the teacher is proficient 
enough at math to teach it
or help the student explore it.

     I believe this holds true in
the sciences and other subjects as well.

     Exactly how this would be implemented
would vary by each school's circumstances,
including the size of the school and class
size.  In the case of Daniel (above link),
a second-grader needed to play with children
twice his age for suitable opponents.

     I believe, then, that often it is good
to group children by ability level, rather
than by age level, for instructional
purposes.

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