Melessa - yes a different method, and in fact they are expected to demonstrate multiple methods for each skill (ie they must be able to do multiple different types of long multiplication, none if them a traditional method). Most of these methods are clever mental math solutions that make no sense on paper at all. using multiple methods is supposed to deepen their understanding, but for a kid like her it's muddied the waters and confused the hell out of her. She's aspergic and dyslexic, one right way for paper, one or two mental math techniques and LOTS of help lining things up correctly on paper is what she needs (and was working beautifully). Frankly if we could afford to we would be moving her right back to a private school if we could, we just pray she's not too badly set back by a few years at the (well meaning) local public school until she starts highschool (hopefully private).
