I couldn't agree more. Children need to be stretched, not find the level and administer to it, but rather find the level and push it up.I think Venn diagrams are fine- but they illustrate a concept that is more difficult to explain in other ways.
The traditional forms of addition and subtraction are straightforward and intuitive, so why complicate them? It always smacks to me of meddling for its own sake by educationalists trying to justify their worth.
Of course there will always be some who are wired differently and will struggle with methods that suit most- but they need special attention rather than trying to devise an entirely new system to fit everyone based on the inabilities of a minority.
ASBO Luv strikes again.


