Huh. Interesting. You don't happen to recall specifically what it was about the movie that prompted this reaction, do you, 'Neato? I'm curious.

I don't know, Kriston, I really just disliked it intensely. I have a vivid emotional memory and some of the things I remember the best are things that provoked a really negative feeling, like for example, kindergarten.

LOL! I just snorted at the screen, 'Neato.

It is possible that what I liked about those "edu-tainment" movies is that they were movies instead of regular class. Now that I think about it, I believe we also watched them only on the last day of school. Both may have factored into my enjoyment more than a little...

LOL!!!

I'm so glad I could make you snort!

Wouldn't it be so great if their were a job available where you could be paid only to be sarcastic and glib?

I think there is. It's called "mom," isn't it?

Oh, wait, we don't get paid...

Kriston: Back to the OP:
I know I'm coming back in really late in this thread, but wondered if you'd also searched Hoagies for help with ideas for introducing those more complex topics. I've used a lot of the info on Hoagies for finding websites, books and games that address math without actually teaching it.
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/math.htm

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/multiplication.htm

the physics link has lots of ideas that are math related:
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/physics.htm

and games are a great way to introduce new thinking:
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/smart_toys.htm

Take your time to surf around Hoagies. It truly is a goldmine.

Thanks, Debbie! I've spent a lot of time on Hoagies, but you're right that I haven't tried it since I got going on this particular issue.

Great idea!

I wanted to mention how timely this topic was, Kriston. I've been getting hit with posts about math education on my RSS reader all week. I thought this blog post by Math Mom might be of interest.

It was, kcab. Thanks!

No prob! What I really liked was the idea of specialist math teachers, seems like a really good idea for a district to try. Unfortunately, I suppose it might also be more expensive.