Is there a higher level of math that she could be doing if she showed higher skills? If so, then you might have your work cut out for you. But if not, I wouldn't worry about it at all. As she moves up to higher grades, the math will become more normal and her skills will become apparent.
I would absolutely NOT stress her over this at all. Your goal is to get her through this with her love of math intact and that's not going to be easy! If they want to teach math as a language lesson, that's their problem. She can learn language during language arts. Grades at this age don't matter one bit either. I'd just let her go and see what she picks up. See whether she adapts to this teaching method and let the teacher figure out how to teach her. Then, teach her real math on the side.
Of course if there's a better class/level, then I'd be pushing for that so she can get through this awful stuff faster.
Thank you for your post, it is very reassuring. Unfortunately there isn't a better class or math level. The higher (gifted classes) grades also do Ten Marks and use Connected Math which I think it's similar to Project M3 in regards to how much reading and writing intensive it is. So I don't think being in a class with older children who are capable of writing much more advanced responses to their math questions than dd is a good idea since dd is probably average in her writing abilities. She doesn't even show her work when solving math problems, I can't imagine how she'll be able to write down how she solved it. I'm dreading next year when she will do Connected Math and have to do writing responses.
I sometimes panic and think I'm doing it all wrong. Hopefully dd isn't the only kid in the class having these problems. I will definitely tell dd to just do her best and use this as an opportunity to work on her weaknesses of paying attention to detail, taking her time, and reading comprehension. In the meantime, I will continue to do the math she likes at home.
