11-19-2002, 02:40 AM
Well, I got a note back from the teacher saying that they are taught the "old fashioned" way (she quoted me), but that they are also required to learn how to do it on the calculator. What she didn't explain to me was why my son has no clue how to do it manually.
She also was lovely enough to tell me exactly what calculator they use in school (TI-108), and acknolwedge that different calculators perform differently, therefore giving different answers. Soooo, I looked for the TI-108 in every office supply catalog at work and then went to Eckerd and RiteAid afterwards. Aparently this calculator is only available to educators. I ended up getting a cheap calculator and luckily, it seems to work the way she wants it to.
I still think they should do it manually and be required to show their work...but maybe I'm just resistant to change.
Man, I can't wait for my parent/teacher conference.
She also was lovely enough to tell me exactly what calculator they use in school (TI-108), and acknolwedge that different calculators perform differently, therefore giving different answers. Soooo, I looked for the TI-108 in every office supply catalog at work and then went to Eckerd and RiteAid afterwards. Aparently this calculator is only available to educators. I ended up getting a cheap calculator and luckily, it seems to work the way she wants it to.
I still think they should do it manually and be required to show their work...but maybe I'm just resistant to change.
Man, I can't wait for my parent/teacher conference.