The below is a ranking of states by average change in math scores on the 4th grade NAEP between 2022 and 2024 (using scale scores). I will do 8th grade tomorrow :) Of course the problem is, for many reasons, states with high income families have a much easier time getting good results. So I looked into it, and asked - once we control and allow for how rich a state is - how well do they REALLY do ? What I found might surprise you .... The STARS: Mississippi, Wyoming, Utah, Tennessee , Massachusetts The STRUGGLERS: New York, Maryland, California, New Mexico Are your children in school in any of these states ? Which results surprised you ? Post your thoughts below in the comments !

I am a big fan of Zach Groshell, an American teacher and podcaster. Zach talks a lot of sense about Math ! Zach wrote yesterday that "Some - no, all - of the best math programs can be perceived as being “too easy” and “overscaffolding” when introducing skills. This largely comes from the fact that those who are charged with evaluating programs do not know what good acquisition instruction looks like." I often think that the adults evaluating programs do not realise how hard it is for young kids to pick up the basics in Math. Our kids are very smart, but Math is hard ! And they need time and attention to make sure the basics are right, first. We need programmes that really support them in doing that. Do you agree ? Post below with any programs you think do, or do not, give young kids the support they need to learn the basics

Julie, a 6th grade math teachers writes... "I teach 6th grade math (the first year out of elementary school) and I feel this so deeply. The students who struggle with fractions and basic number operations, face significant challenges related to the higher math introduced in 6th grade. And it's only going to get harder." This is the sad story we keep hearing from classrooms nationwide (indeed worldwide). Students are getting the basics in elementary school, and by the time they get to middle school, they can't keep up with class. By the time they arrive in high school, Math and STEM is lost to them. Parents - do you have students in 6th grade or below ? What concepts are they, or their classmates struggling on right now ? Put them below, we will try and help !

From Math Professor Anna Stokke "If students struggle with fraction arithmetic, algebra is inaccessible. If they struggle with basic number operations (including times tables), fractions are inaccessible. Math is hierarchical & gaps compound. There's no way around it. We have to get math right in primary." What is your child struggling on right now ? Which building block would you like us to help with ?

I am 75 now, but when I was teaching I was free to do it my own way. Numbers were play, especially mental arithmetic. So how did I do it? How did I make it fun? They would ask me… can I tell you what I know? Be it counting to 10 or reciting their 9’s or their ten’s! The five’s… they all lived the five’s! When did we do this? Often there was a waiting time, when the whole class of 30 were lined up for lunch. We would chant. - Probably one of the favourites was 2,4,6,8, who do we appreciate? yeah! Mee! Hands would go up! Me, me. Ok Billy.. count to 5.. he does, everyone claps. We all count to 100. We all count in tens. Chant again, everyone…2,4,6,8…who do we appreciate? Cheering.. ok Jill Q:what comes next..2,4,6,8,? Jill “ten” everyone claps Let’s all say it…2,4,6,8,10 Again, again.. Repeat from * Q: who can say all their twos… lots of hands go up..me, me pick me… ok Jonny..how far can you go? A: Jonny… 2468,10 12 , he doesn’t stop until he gets to 30. Next Everyone I say one, they say two, I say three, they say 4, I say 5, they say 6,etc ( repeat..they start, they say 1) We do it again but I have to whisper. We do it again they have to whisper. We do it again..I can only mouth it.. ( repeat..this time 3’s) ( or 5’s… they all like the 5’s) We do the appreciation thing again… We say the rhyme one, two, buckle my shoe… with all the actions. After lunch we are in the playground… they come running up to me..so the games and the chants continue.. even all the kids wanting those who struggle to succeed. They help each other too…going off to dance and skip to their maths rhymes and chants. They love it! Home school… do this after bedtime story…do it in the car..dance to it,skip to it..