Concepts are well introduced to students I am a physician in
Charleston. I read the essay titled "Diversity in elementary
math is failing" in the Sept. 29 paper. I would like to express
my difference of opinion. I was schooled in India but received
my higher education in the United States. My older daughter is
now in fourth grade, and I have been actively involved in her
education. For four years, starting from kindergarten up to
third grade, basic concepts in math, such as counting, addition,
subtraction, multiplication and fractions are slowly introduced
and reinforced over and over again. In fact, up to third grade I
was surprised as to how few new concepts are introduced. At the
beginning of every grade, concepts from the previous year are
reinforced for the first few months. Now even in fourth grade
they started the year with three-minute addition and subtraction
quizzes. In fourth grade they are being introduced to the basic
concepts of geometry and algebra in a very applied and a non-
threatening manner