[kay/5]

I'm not exactly sure how to handle this situation so I've come to you for help. There is a teacher in 5th grade who has decided to skip teaching the kids division. She has decided that the middle school teachers don't think they need to know it. How do I approach her about this without sounding like I think I'm her boss? Or, is she right - they really don't need to know long division?

[trishg1]

and I can see a couple of long term problems. First is math competitions. My students compete in a math olympics comtest where they are expected to use long division. Second, her students may or may not be under the middle school teachers she has talked to.

I only have 2 sixth graders who will be given calculators and taught how to survive math. Both of these kids have come from a long line of academic failures, incurred thousands of dollars in private tutoring, and have a string of emotional issues. Other than those, I expect my students to be able to complete long divsion problems.

I'm interested in hearing other responses.

[newpalmetto]

Math builds upon knowledge- long division is something they will definitely need to know. I would go right to her and ask why she's not teaching long division and if it's a standard, say she is supposed to teach it.

Is it on your state tests? If so, and she refuses to teach it, I'd go to your principal. Wouldn't it be bad to get poor test scores because you're not teaching a vital component?

[Phyllis]

In daily life, I use long division all the time. I can not imagine not being adept at that skill. No one has a calculator in their hands at all times, if that is what she is thinking. I can't imagine it not being on the test too. Have you spoken to the sixth grade teachers at your school about whether division is tested? I am NOT suggesting you discuss her decision to skip it with them at this point. She is the one I would discuss it with after talking to them. I'm thinking she just doesn't enjoy teaching it.

[Hideeho]

If this is part of your state standards, how on earth does she just decide "nope, not doing that" ??

[kay/5]

That's just her. She thinks that she knows everything and was brought in to "save" us.

[shuntyswife]

I teach 5th grade in TX and it is in our TEKS, our state standards. It is your JOB as a teacher to teach what the state says. Have you thought about talking to your P if you aren't comfortable approaching her? Your principal IS her boss, I wonder how he/she would feel about that.

[SuzyM]

I have taught fifth grade, they need to know the basics for the state test at the very least. She is not helping her students by not teaching it to them. True, some kids will struggle, but at least have them aware of the process. What about the advanced kids? They definitely need to know the steps of division for the advanced math classes in middle school. She is not doing what is best for her students. I would ask her why isn't she going to teach it. And of course, like the others have mentioned, if it is a benchmark she has to teach it. I would though feel uncomfortable in approaching the principal. Awkward position you are in. Do you have a grade chair? A math committee that can talk to her about it?

[kay/5]

We don't have a grade chair unless I'm considered it because I've been there the longest. The Middle School teachers have offered to come over and talk with her, but I want to try everything else I can think of before using them.