OT New New Random Thread...

[ErinS]

My heart says yes, but my finances say no. We're trying but it just doesn't look like it's in the cards right now. I told my daughter to plan on not moving and to do her school stuff with the assumption that she would still be in Chicago for high school, to be on the safe side.

Funny - we can't afford to live in Chicago, but we can't afford to move.

(she has a big over dramatic meltdown every time I mention moving so clearly she is not on the same page as me. She loves the city life!)

I think the not being able to afford a city and not being able to afford to move is the problem for most Americans.

I'm actually moving home (as in to my moms house) for a few months to save $ because realistically I can't afford paying rent (twice in 1 month) and moving fees and utilities for 2 places. The struggle

 

[Just-a-Mom]

I think the not being able to afford a city and not being able to afford to move is the problem for most Americans.

I'm actually moving home (as in to my moms house) for a few months to save $ because realistically I can't afford paying rent (twice in 1 month) and moving fees and utilities for 2 places. The struggle

Yep! That's why we STILL live with my sister. The benefit of the city is that I don't need a car, too. If we move, I have to add that to my moving costs. It's just starting to seem easier and more realistic to just stay here.

 

[Ashley]

I think the not being able to afford a city and not being able to afford to move is the problem for most Americans.

I'm actually moving home (as in to my moms house) for a few months to save $ because realistically I can't afford paying rent (twice in 1 month) and moving fees and utilities for 2 places. The struggle

Smart move. We bought a house via short sale, so you're just sitting around waiting for the bank to accept your offer and set a closing date. We had to give two months notice to our apartment to break our lease, but we we were only given two weeks notice about the closing date from the bank - and that was only after I told them I couldn't close in a week because I was going to Florida (for worlds). Fortunately the first mortgage payment was rolled up with our closing costs, but I still had some overlap plus the one month penalty for breaking our lease. Moving is expensive.

 

[ErinS]

Smart move. We bought a house via short sale, so you're just sitting around waiting for the bank to accept your offer and set a closing date. We had to give two months notice to our apartment to break our lease, but we we were only given two weeks notice about the closing date from the bank - and that was only after I told them I couldn't close in a week because I was going to Florida (for worlds). Fortunately the first mortgage payment was rolled up with our closing costs, but I still had some overlap plus the one month penalty for breaking our lease. Moving is expensive.

Yeah my mom is convinced that I need to live with her for 6 months and save and buy a condo this summer....because condos (houses in general) are cheap in Columbia. I feel like realistically I can't tolerate her for 6 months not after living on my own since I can't even remember when

Fortunately I only had to give my landlord here 30 days...and a last day of work of Nov 26 but it put me having to move Thanksgiving weekend in order to start my new job Dec 1....and I didn't want to miss black friday sales or the Carolina clemson game due to moving

Anyway I went to my exit interview and changed my resignation date to the 21st and moving date to the 25....but I'll still have to pay utilities for dec here

 

[Ashley]

Yeah my mom is convinced that I need to live with her for 6 months and save and buy a condo this summer....because condos (houses in general) are cheap in Columbia. I feel like realistically I can't tolerate her for 6 months not after living on my own since I can't even remember when

I live at home for a year after college and has to get out. My brother sucked it up for 4 or 5 years and then bought a house without paying any rent ever (except the tiny amount he gave my parents each month).

 

[crazzyeyesassypants]

Yes. We have "school choice" so you apply to high school. If you are not accepted then you go to your neighborhood school. These are usually schools that have lost their accreditation and have horrible graduation rates (because they only get students who didn't get into another school). Some of them are OK, but the one we are zoned for has a 41% graduation rate and is completely taken over with gangs (my older daughter started there when we moved here - that's why she was homeschooled)

My daughter is on track to get into a selective enrollment school now, but they are done by "tier" (which is a euphemism for "politically drawn lines to make sure that white kids have the least chance of getting in, and to make sure that we don't actually have to let the best students in, just the ones we want") so she has to meet the highest level of requirements to get in. They're basically neighborhoods. To give some perspective on why I think they're political and not accurate, they're supposed to be divided by socioeconomic factors. Buuuut... I am in tier 4, the highest. Barack Obama's house is in tier 3. So, according to the tiers, my 2 bedroom apartment is in a higher socioeconomic status than his mansion.

Admission is on a 900 point scale, and the lowest score accepted in our tier over the past 3 years is 894 (in other tiers it goes down to about 825). It's ridiculously complicated, but 300 points are for grades, 300 are for standardized testing, and 300 is for the selective enrollment exam, which you are invited to take if your points are high enough in the other 2 areas. One B costs you 25 points which will put you at 875.

Right now my daughter is sitting at 600/600 based on what she's done so far, but we've got the rest of 7th grade to go before she can sit for the selective enrollment exam.

If she doesn't get in, she can go into a lottery for a charter school, which is a chance I don't want to take. Her only other options are homeschool or private school.

So, all that was just to say... Yes. We have to "get in" to a public school. So, she got to stay home and do the assignment because mama ain't havin' no B's!

ETA @crazzyeyesassypants I do totally hear you - and it suuuuuuucks that your baby is working so hard and still having tears. There's nothing worse than when your baby is suffering, whether it's emotional or physical. I hope it gets better for her!

Oh my goodness, what a stressful situation, I would be a basket case if I had to fear that my cp was going to get stuck going to a school with a bunch of gangs and a 41%graduation rate, that is just horrible, yikes sounds to me like some of those kids are set up to fail, your cp is very blessed to have a parent that is involved and cares.

It's really hard to see my CP struggle in math, she has always struggled with it, I am blessed that she is a hard worker and never gives up and keeps pushing, one time at a parent meeting a teacher told me that even though she was giving her a C in her report card she said she deserved an A+ for effort! lol She is in 7th grade now and I'm very happy that she got accepted to the special math program in her school, I just hope that this year is her year to shine in Math, I know how bad she wants it. I have never been upset with her for having a C in her report card for math because I know she is more upset at her self, how could I get mad when she is trying so hard. I'm thinking a tutor would be a good idea but finding the time is going to be a challenge.

 

[ErinS]

I live at home for a year after college and has to get out. My brother sucked it up for 4 or 5 years and then bought a house without paying any rent ever (except the tiny amount he gave my parents each month).

Yeah I offered to pay my mom rent, or pay a utility, or even pay my portion of the cell phone bill and she was like "Naw"

So I didn't argue

 

[CheerTeamNerd]

I think the vast majority of people who are against common core do not actually understand what it is. The issues lie with the implementation, not the existence, of common core. So, if the method being taught is "dumb" or difficult, that's a problem with how that particular school system chose to teach the information.
I'm also curious how people who've been out of school for years know that common core is "dumb." Because you saw some some poorly written problems on Facebook and Reddit? I get parents being frustrated, but even then I think it's not common core they're frustrated with, it's the chosen teaching method.

Although I am not a teacher, all of my former college roommates have masters in literacy and are currently teachers. While the common core helps to standardize curriculum, it also takes away teacher creativity. The common core IS a teaching method. Every day is laid out, as the curriculum moves fast. Teachers have little room to change. While the common core "helps" struggling school districts and standardizes learning, it does not allow time for teachers to go back and re-teach lessons or allow struggling students more time to understand. I'm not sure about other states, but NYS has a script for every single common core lesson, so there is almost no room for changing the implementation. The modules are not just a suggestion. I believe there is a lack of communication between parents and teachers. Parents are not trained to teach the common core, so although homework seems easy, their is a very specific way to work through the problem.

Here is an example of something a friend of mine posted. She currently teaches 2nd grade. She has to teach her students this method of logic for figuring out basic addition (as per the common core). On their tests, students must outline these steps to demonstrate understanding of the subject matter.

"Typical teacher rant for a minute- WHY do I have to teach my second graders extra steps to do simple addition? Now instead of having to know 9+8 =17, they also have to tell me that since 9+1=10, and 8 breaks apart as 7+1, then 10+7=17, so therefore 9+8=17. Confused? Imagine being seven!!!"

Of course, I am perpetuating your argument by sharing this single problem. My argument however, is that the problem with the common core lies in stripping teachers of their creativity and flexibility, and the poor communication of what exactly the common core is to parents. How can a parent help their child with homework, when they do not understand the specific way it is required to be taught.

 

[UCFKnights07]

Disclaimer - I don't love or hate common core. I'm indifferent to it. It has had zero effect on my daughter. I just wish people would understand it before they get upset about the wrong issues. Instead of fighting common core, ask your school why they can't use different methods to teach the standards. The list of standards can be easily found, and are basically the same things we all learned in school - not sure why all these crazy problems that are showing up online are necessary. My daughter has never brought anything home that looked like that, and her school is common core obsessed.

Common Core is not a method. Common Core is a list of standards that children must achieve at each grade level. The common core standards (national) do not actually tell educators how to teach these standards - that's up to the state/local level. The "method" is not dictated by common core - that's something your district decided on.

I think the vast majority of people who are against common core do not actually understand what it is. The issues lie with the implementation, not the existence, of common core. So, if the method being taught is "dumb" or difficult, that's a problem with how that particular school system chose to teach the information.

I'm also curious how people who've been out of school for years know that common core is "dumb." Because you saw some some poorly written problems on Facebook and Reddit? I get parents being frustrated, but even then I think it's not common core they're frustrated with, it's the chosen teaching method.

maybe its because i was never taught the new way, so i might be biased. but i dont get why we have to over complicate adding 26 +17. in my eyes i dont see the normal way being a broken way of adding, i can just see kids in general being like "i know the answer to this question but since i dont know how to do it the common core way im gonna get it wrong on a test." im mean if teachers implement that you have to show your work in order to get credit, these kids are screwed so to speak, even if they get the total right. which i dont think is fair.
i struggled in math until i got to high school using the normal way, i would be dying right now if i had to be taught the way these kids are being taught. plus i guarantee they are gonna spend years trying to figure this method out, and then get to college and its going to be useless. I think the bigger thing is that if they are only implementing this rule to a certain grade, which from what i read is till senior year. ( god bless their souls if they have to learn statistics this way) its kinda pointless cause once that kid gets past that certain grade that new teacher is just gonna show them the old way of adding, etc. then those kids spent all that time learning a ridiculous method, just to be told years later that its pointless.

 

[Ashley]

It's my (very basic) understanding that while Common Core Math seems really complicated for something as simple as 9+8, it's useful when adding (or multiplying, or dividing) much larger numbers because it helps eliminate rote memorization - especially when it comes to multiplication. There's no need to memorize multiplication tables like we grew up doing.

10+7 is easier than 9+8 and 30+13 is easier than 26+17. It's basically how you would do the math in your head anyway, and you don't need a piece of paper to worry about carrying over numbers. But I know next to nothing about common core math, so take that all with a grain of salt.

I should ask my dad - he teaches 8th grade math, but that's algebra so it might not be relevant for him.

 

[Just-a-Mom]

yikes sounds to me like some of those kids are set up to fail

This. This is what gets under my skin. I don't know how these people sleep at night. Not every child is a straight A student. Not every child even wants to be a straight A student. What gets me is that the only 2 options (as far as public school) here are straight A student or be a failure.

I always say my daughter is so lucky to be one "the chosen ones" because they really do just forget the rest of the kids. Pretty much less than 10% of the Chicago public schools students get what I would even consider an adequate education, let alone a good one.

They love to parade their fancy high schools around and brag about all the accolades they're getting - but those schools get to choose their students! And they only serve 1% of CPS! There are over 100 high schools in Chicago. 4 of them are considered top notch schools, and are always ranked very high on all the "lists" - so those are the ones you see in the media, when they're saying, "See? Nothing wrong with our schools, folks!"

It disgusts me. I spend a LOT of time and energy fighting the system here and trying to get things changed, but it's a losing battle.

On another note, maybe there is someone at cheer that could tutor your daughter? That way you could fit it in because she's already there.

 

[CheerTeamNerd]

It's my (very basic) understanding that while Common Core Math seems really complicated for something as simple as 9+8, it's useful when adding (or multiplying, or dividing) much larger numbers because it helps eliminate rote memorization - especially when it comes to multiplication. There's no need to memorize multiplacation tables like we grew up doing.

I should ask my dad - he teaches 8th grade math, but that's algebra so it might not be relevant for him.

Yes, that is true. That is the reason for teaching it in that specific way. The idea is that way down the line, when kids have to multiply 34 x 18, they can break apart the numbers to quickly come up with the correct answer. My problem is that if a child does not fully understand this method, there is no time for teachers to go back during class and parents are not trained to help them understand or work through the problem. Additionally, for those students that cannot conceptualize this idea, the common core does not allow another way for them to be taught, for them to succeed & understand. It takes out all individualized teaching/learning.

I mean, obviously there is a reason the common core was implemented. It does have some pros and some cons.

 

[Eyes On The Prize]

Although I am not a teacher, all of my former college roommates have masters in literacy and are currently teachers. While the common core helps to standardize curriculum, it also takes away teacher creativity. The common core IS a teaching method. Every day is laid out, as the curriculum moves fast. Teachers have little room to change. While the common core "helps" struggling school districts and standardizes learning, it does not allow time for teachers to go back and re-teach lessons or allow struggling students more time to understand. I'm not sure about other states, but NYS has a script for every single common core lesson, so there is almost no room for changing the implementation. The modules are not just a suggestion. I believe there is a lack of communication between parents and teachers. Parents are not trained to teach the common core, so although homework seems easy, their is a very specific way to work through the problem.

Here is an example of something a friend of mine posted. She currently teaches 2nd grade. She has to teach her students this method of logic for figuring out basic addition (as per the common core). On their tests, students must outline these steps to demonstrate understanding of the subject matter.

"Typical teacher rant for a minute- WHY do I have to teach my second graders extra steps to do simple addition? Now instead of having to know 9+8 =17, they also have to tell me that since 9+1=10, and 8 breaks apart as 7+1, then 10+7=17, so therefore 9+8=17. Confused? Imagine being seven!!!"

Of course, I am perpetuating your argument by sharing this single problem. My argument however, is that the problem with the common core lies in stripping teachers of their creativity and flexibility, and the poor communication of what exactly the common core is to parents. How can a parent help their child with homework, when they do not understand the specific way it is required to be taught.

One of my room mates in college was an Education major (we are in NY too) and she would rant and rant about the Common Core and how stupid it is. Some of the things she said left me scratching my head. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever. Does the state not understand that different kids learn different ways and if you aren't allowing the teachers to teach kids in any other way you are hurting those children? She also said that because of the Common Core many of the elementary school classrooms she student taught at aren't teaching kids science or history and focus on Math and English... I just.... What?

I understand why the government is trying to standardize education but at the same time I don't.

 

[Just-a-Mom]

Although I am not a teacher, all of my former college roommates have masters in literacy and are currently teachers. While the common core helps to standardize curriculum, it also takes away teacher creativity. The common core IS a teaching method. Every day is laid out, as the curriculum moves fast. Teachers have little room to change. While the common core "helps" struggling school districts and standardizes learning, it does not allow time for teachers to go back and re-teach lessons or allow struggling students more time to understand. I'm not sure about other states, but NYS has a script for every single common core lesson, so there is almost no room for changing the implementation. The modules are not just a suggestion. I believe there is a lack of communication between parents and teachers. Parents are not trained to teach the common core, so although homework seems easy, their is a very specific way to work through the problem.

maybe its because i was never taught the new way, so i might be biased. but i dont get why we have to over complicate adding 26 +17. in my eyes i dont see the normal way being a broken way of adding, i can just see kids in general being like "i know the answer to this question but since i dont know how to do it the common core way im gonna get it wrong on a test."

(shortened for space)

I totally agree with both of you - but that's what I was saying. The actual "common core" did not make those modules. The state did. So, it's the implementation that's a failure, not the common core itself. The problem is that the creators of it did not do a good job (at all) of conveying to the various states how to implement these standards WITHOUT losing what they were already doing.

And I definitely agree with the parents not knowing how to do it. My daughter does frequently tell me, "That may be the answer, but that's not how we're supposed to do it." Grrrrrrrrr! Who cares? It's the answer!

That's NOT how it's supposed to be taught. All the common core says is that students need to understand how these concepts work, and how to solve these problems. If there are 5 ways to solve a problem, that's fine. They're supposed to solve it in the way that THEY understand the best.

I'll be the first to admit that that idea has gotten completely lost. Instead of, "Oh! Hey, if you don't understand that way, let's try this way. The important thing is for you to understand it in a way that you can keep using the concept and apply it to different problems" it's definitely turned into, "Oh that's the old way. This is the new way. You HAVE TO do it this way, even if that way makes more sense."

But... Again, all of these are implementation and teaching issues, not "having a set of standards" issues.

 

[Daniellerae]

Oh my that's terrible to hear. Is there a way around this so he doesn't have to repeat kindergarten? Maybe something like he goes to school in the morning but in the afternoon he does home schooling with a tutor so he's still learning all the things he'll be missing in school? And maybe some one on one time with the tutor will help with the behavior problems a bit.

As of right now, no. His only option is daycare which will cost my parents an extra 200 bucks a week. His therapist is trying to get him into the special education program so he can have a para pro with him in his class, because his behavior problems start when his teacher stops giving him individual attention. His teacher did an experiment where she gave him rewards for his behavior, and some of the rewards were one on one time with the gym teacher or the art teacher or another adult, and the rest were treats. Every time he picked time with the adult.