Okay. I admit it. I couldn't stand math when I was in school. A whirlwind of abstract concepts, memorizing formulas, boring skill & drill, and meaningless homework assignments, math seemed to have no connection to real life.

Fortunately for our children, math instruction has greatly improved. Today math is taught with a more hands-on, holistic approach. Instead of simply memorizing multiplication facts, for example, students are encouraged to explore what multiplication means by using manipulatives that they can touch and feel. Or, they can experiment with friends and see that three kids holding two pencils each equal six pencils.