u/MJ_IN_TX

I'm a card-carrying member of the Old-School, and was recently remembering that I learned in 5th grade how to calculate Square Roots by hand using a technique that looks a lot like long division. That made me curious about other "old-school" methods and techniques. I already know about slide rules (I'm a collector). A quick google search reminded me of "Casting Out Nines" to check for math errors.

I remember learning about Casting out nines, but can't remember the grade.

I also remember learning how to look up numbers in log tables, trig tables.

Are there any other old-school techniques folks might remember, and when those concepts might have been introduced in old-school math education?

Mark Johnson

I was working with a student the last couple of days. I was brought on to help a 10th grader, to work with his Algebra I skills and help introduce Geometry for this fall. He is from another state, here with his Aunt for the summer. Nice young man. Very well mannered. I was told he had C's and D's during the school year.

I started the refresh of Algebra with simply solving linear equations. Only one variable so just a simple one-number answer. I had thought a simple refresh - just hitting high points across a variety of topics. But after two days (90 minute sessions), it felt that this wasn't a refresh... it felt like the material was new for him. I tried touching on exponents and asked about quadratics... again, it all felt like plowing new ground - but after finishing Algebra I during the school year this should have all been familiar.

I realize just a couple of hours a week for only 2 or 3 weeks in the summer I can't re-teach Algebra. But it left me so frustrated. Wanting to help this young man and knowing I can't scratch the surface. I felt so sad and almost violently offended at the school for letting this situation exist.

This is only the second student I have had who was seriously remedial. This spring I had one for pre-Algebra. We started on proportions, and the student couldn't multiply or divide reliably, let alone combine multiplication AND division as required for proportions.

How do others deal with students who are SERIOUSLY remedial and lost? How the HE** do we make progress with only a couple of hours a week?

Mark