My daughter is in 8th and she is taking Algebra this year. They are working on linear equations, ratios, etc. with some pretty large numbers. The teacher is not allowing them to use a calculator. I can't for the life of me understand why. these are 8th grade students and if they don't know addition, multiplication, and long division, they have bigger problems. it frustrates the hell out of me when i am working with her to see her spend 5 minutes doing arithmetic when she should be concentrating on the logic of algebra. Would it be inappropriate to discuss this with the teacher?