1. The search for truth is more precious than its possession. Albert Einstein -The American Mathematical Monthly 100 (3).

2. on a math path A dramatization of an abomination of calculation leading later to celebration, with a combination of exploration, conversation, and fascination.

3. The following story is true.

4. O nce upon a time there was a mom who was also a fifth grade teacher.

5. As luck would have it, her son Alexander was also in 5 th grade the year he brought home a mysterious new math book.

6. Mommateacher eagerly investigated the peculiar new book.

7. Much to her dismay, it was much more baffling than she had ever anticipated, and so began a year of agonizing homework that lasted for hours each night at the dining room table.

8. During that time, Mommateacher put on a good front while chanting the following questions and concerns over and over again in her head:

9. “How can I help my classified son when I don’t have a clue what’s going on?”

10. “What’s wrong with the way we used to multiply anyway?”

11. “Do these kids ever practice?”

12. “Oh, please, what on earth is a math box?”

13. “What does a math lesson look like in his classroom?”

14. “Oh, what will I do when Alex doesn’t bring home his materials? He forgets everything!”

15. And, it wasn’t all about Alex! Secretly she worried.

16. I must not be as good at this I thought I was.

17. So, as you might imagine, when the time came for Mommateacher’s district to pick a new math program, she was among the first to volunteer for the committee!

18. And she was picked!

19. She would to get to the bottom of this!

20. And thus began an amazing adventure along a new math path.

21. Along the way she met an amazing man, Dr. Eric Milou, Rowan University Associate Professor of Mathematics, who helped her begin to answer her many questions! http://www.mathnasium.com/press/press-njstar112804.htm http://www.ct4me.net/standardized_test_preparation.htm http://cache.zoominfo.com/cachedpage/?archive_id=0&page_id=1688451820&page_url=%2f%2fwww.courierpostonline.c om%2fapps%2fpbcs.dll%2farticle%3fAID%3d%2f20060817%2fNEWS04%2f608170337%2f1011&page_last_updat ed=8%2f23%2f2006+6%3a34%3a46+AM&firstName=Eric&lastName=Milou Teaching Mathematics to Middle School StudentsTeaching Mathematics to Middle School Students by Stephen Krulik, Jesse A. Rudnick, Eric Milou, and Eric Milous (Paperback - Oct 4, 2002)

22. There is more than one way to get there! Have you seen this yet? http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/52468.html

23. NOTHING is wrong with the way we used to multiply, but now we have Multiple Multiplication Tools! Lattice Method: A favorite among 5 th graders! Partial Products Traditional Long American Mathematics Do you want to use another one? http://instruction.aaps.k12.mi.us/EM_parent_hdbk/algorithms.html

24. What does a math lesson look like, and what are math boxes? All math lessons are created equal! Let’s see what an everyday math lesson looks like? http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/educators/lessonbackground.shtml Looking for more practice at home? Create your own math worksheets. http://www.aplusmath.com/Worksheets/index.html VERY cool MATHO game. http://www.aplusmath.com/games/matho/MultMatho.html Geometric area practice on the computer. http://www.aplusmath.com/flashcards/index.html

25. What to do if something is forgotten? Everyday math offers a very comprehensive website offering games, practice, additional resources and Family Letters! http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/ http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/parents/index.shtml

26. Do you have the TIME? to read this : "http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1568480-1,00.html Thinking outside the box. -"put an enormous premium on creative and innovative skills, seeing patterns where other people see only chaos," says Marc Tucker. It's interdisciplinary combinations--design and technology, mathematics and art--"that produce… Becoming smarter about new sources of information. "It's important that students know how to manage it, interpret it, validate it, and how to act on it," says Dell executive Karen Bruett. Developing good people skills!!!!!

27. Meanwhile, back in Audubon………

28. …4 years later

29. Alex is preparing for his first ever midterm examination in math….algebra. After Mommateacher notices how quickly he adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides his algebraic moves, she asks him,

30. “Hey, what’s up with that? How can you do that so fast when I have to write it down?”

31. His explanation includes partial products and partial sums, rounding up, rounding down, estimating and fine tuning….and so much more….. and then he said,

32. “I learned that in 5 th grade.”

33. the end

34. "The important thing is not to stop questioning." -Albert Einstein

35. TOO COOL TO MISS! A First Grade Game A 5 th Grade Game! java math game pattern blocks http://arcytech.org/java/patterns/patterns_j.shtml fantastic games http://www.center.k12.mo.us/EDTECH/edm/5.htm