Pre Algebra is no longer a subject confined to middle and high schools.  Now it is taught as early as fourth grade!  I was really surprised to learn that my nephew Jason was learning about algebra equations in school. The kid is only ten years old!

I can remember learning how to divide and multiply in fourth grade when I was in school, but I certainly don’t remember going any more sophisticated than that! Sometimes I think that kids are being driven too hard and are not being given the time they need to actually BE kids. Having said that, I know that there are other societies where kids are forced to do manual labor in factories and fields, so maybe learning more advanced math in school isn’t such a terrible thing after all!  After all, many of the job opportunities of the future are going to be strongly rooted in one’s ability to solve problems.