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[BuegeSmalls]

"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!!!"

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Wait they actually teach people to do math like this? That is so stupid.

 

[Just-a-Mom]

"Typical teacher rant for a minute- WHY do I have to teach my second graders extra steps to do simple addition?

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.

This is actually the problem with common core. Teachers rant about it to anyone and everyone that will listen. They post all over social media about it. If the teacher doesn't understand it, and doesn't support it, then the students and parents will obviously also think it's dumb and confusing.

During our high school visits over the past few weeks, I noticed the same thing. At one school, we visited a math classroom, and the teacher was like, "Oh man... You guys are gonna love this. We've got this totally new approach to math, that really helps the kids understand math, instead of just making them listen to me for 90 minutes and memorize everything I say. It really involves the kids in their own learning, so they can figure out what works best for them - because every kid is different. It's called the IMP, Integrated Math Program." (then he goes on to describe it) <-----note, he never uses the words, common core, even though that's what it is.

2nd school visit. The teacher says... "<Sigh>... So we've got this new state mandated math. All the kids have to take it because it's common core, and we have to teach it. It's called the interactive math program... I think. Or integrated. One of those two."

So everyone leaves and all the moms are talking about the 1st school and how they have this great math program and if your kid is interested in STEM subjects, obviously that's where to go because they're so advanced and progressive. I was like, "Um, you know it's the same program, right?" Their answer? "No... Didn't you hear her? They have to use common core math at this school!"

It's all in how the teacher views it. If your teacher hates it, and is hung up on "I have to do this because it's common core," then chances are the kids will feel that (because I'm quite sure this lady's class is a nightmare to take, because she doesn't even know what she's teaching)

I get that the teachers are limited in their abilities, because they're bound by state guidelines and regulations - but both of these teachers are in the same school district. Just a different approach.

So, I agree with those moms on one thing... If you want your kid to learn math, the 1st school is a better choice because the teacher is excited about his program and probably wants his kids to succeed. That 2nd lady is probably posting on Facebook about how much she hates common core and is probably also polishing up her resume to get out of teaching.

OK.. I'm done. Lol obviously schools are my biggest hot button!

 

[CheerBank]

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.

Not so sure about that. I know that non-cp 10 is on the front lines for common core math, and one of the first things his teacher did with them at the beginning of the school year was speed drills with their multiplication facts. She may just be one who is not throwing the baby away with the bath water, but she seems to be incorporating older methods along with common core modules. I do admit I am very lucky in that he is a strong math kid so he does not seen to have been phased by any topics to date he has learned or how they have been taught.

Cp 14 had to take the Common Core Algebra Regents as well as the Integrated Algebra Regents last June. She will have to do the same in June 2015 with the Geometry Regents - take both a Common Core one and a regular one. They only took the higher score on the Algebra, and she had about a 15 point discrepancy between the two having scored quite high on the Integrated Algebra one.

Former-cp 17 is thrilled to have narrowly escaped all this bs .

 

[cheermomforever]

On how u wish they would have classes in high school that might actually help them as an adult or b towards what they might due after HS Most stuff they memorize for those fee weeks they will never need later! Also here in my city athletes only need a 1.7! To be on a team! Where will that help them in the long run? Colleges are not going to give you a break! They should have to have at least a 2.5 or higher even!

 

[Just-a-Mom]

On how u wish they would have classes in high school that might actually help them as an adult or b towards what they might due after HS Most stuff they memorize for those fee weeks they will never need later! Also here in my city athletes only need a 1.7! To be on a team! Where will that help them in the long run? Colleges are not going to give you a break! They should have to have at least a 2.5 or higher even!

Well... My guess is colleges WILL actually give them a break, as they always have.

But I agree totally. Maintaining a 1.7 barely even requires going to school, let alone learning anything.

I wish they'd have some classes in bill paying, credit, and washing dishes. My cp20 could really have used those a lot more than pe and world history.

 

[CheerBank]

@Just-a-Mom The public high school system in NYC is similar however entry into some of the top high schools are determined 100% by an entrance exam (or an audition) rather than taking into account what kind of student the applicant was in MS. Most of the non-specialized high schools are just terrible.

 

[Cheer Dad]

Common core math is the dumbest method I've ever seen. I'm glad I graduated years ago.... Rant over

Just wait till you need to learn it so you can help your kids.

 

[jacqui_perez]

My school district did a few weeks of sample testing with 9th and 10th grade last year for common core. One of my brothers who was in 9th grade at the time came home frustrated everyday because of the math. This kid is a math whiz. He usually gets near 100% on all of his tests and never struggles with homework, so I think it speaks volumes that he was so upset with this. I was in 11th grade at the time, and believe to be the last class in my school district that will not use common core. Our district hasn't begun using it yet, but I think they'll have to after this senior class graduates since we're in California. I'm not completely caught up on how all of this works since it doesn't apply to my class, but I think our district has to use it since our state adopted it right?
That being said, I am terrified for my youngest brother (currently in 7th grade). He and I both struggle with math, but his issues are hugely amplified because he has severe ADHD and dyslexia. He cannot get through a night of math homework without crying. The ADHD affects his self confidence and his problems with math only make it worse. I just don't see how he will be successful once our district implements common core. My parents are very worried about it and I just feel so sad knowing how much he's going to struggle with it. He tries so hard and puts hours into each homework assignment trying to grasp it.

 

[12mowerd]

This reminds me of a movie I watched in one of my education classes. I believe it was called "The Lottery". It's about kids in these inner city schools who get picked from alllllll these other children to go to the nice elementary and middle schools. It was so heartbreaking to see the kids get so excited only to not have their name called. It actually made me cry.

As an education major, I want to work at these schools with low graduation rates and try and make a difference. Not everyone is privileged enough tp go to a decent school. It's horrible.

 

[TheVipersMom]

My daughter understands it and I do find if she asks me a question it is usually a clarification question not a idk how to do this question...

However she has missed a couple days of school so far and they learned something new in math and they didn't explain it to her they just gave her the homework. Ok no big deal,

She asked me how to do it and I told her. She was like that's not how they do it mom that's not right. I said well it's the way I know how to do it. My answer is correct put it in your calculator on your phone.

So she did all of the problems the way I told her how to do it and understood it. I told her to that when she turns it in to tell the teacher she said she told the teacher when she turned it in and the teacher said that is fine long as you are coming up with the right answer it doesn't matter how you get it!

I have since showed Jaylen how I do everything when she brings stuff home but she seems to be ok learning how they teach it so at least she knows two methods generally. I told her she can use both methods for nothing more then double checking work. My kid hates me because on homework I make her double check everything by doing the opposite to it and plugging in her answer to see it check out.. Even when I know and she knows it was so easy that she got it right I still make her do it. As much grief that she gives me about doing it at home because she knows the answer is right - I guess you could say I was surprised that it has carried over onto tests and she is doing it when I'm not forcing her. The teacher actually commented directly on a test that she really liked to see that.

I do not have any complaints yet and math is her best subject last year she scored a 1928 on the math portion of the state standardized test meaning she answered all 46 questions correct!

With that being said is the common core more of a problem as they get older? I understand being in 4th grade she is still only doing basic math.
I truthfully have not researched common core to know anything here that has been mentioned, although I find the problems plastered on the internet annoying I really never cared I didn't figure it could be that bad. I will say I learned so much from @Just-a-Mom and others conversations on here than I have knew about common core the whole time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[vannahlexis]

Math has always been my biggest problem. I keep A's and B's unless it's a class involving any type of math.

I failed my basic skills math class my first semester. Apparently like 65% of all students that have to take this course at my school fail no matter how many times they take it. I think it is insane! Sooo many of my friends make great grades and have failed the class too. It's awful.

 

[crazzyeyesassypants]

Math has always been my biggest problem. I keep A's and B's unless it's a class involving any type of math.

I failed my basic skills math class my first semester. Apparently like 65% of all students that have to take this course at my school fail no matter how many times they take it. I think it is insane! Sooo many of my friends make great grades and have failed the class too. It's awful.

That's how it's been for my CP A's and B's besides math of course, but she is determine to change that. It's so neat watching her get motivated, she is my little beast, proud of her regardless!

 

[cheerKT]

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!

Well that just sounds like a nightmare.

 

[Official OWECheer]

Common core math is the dumbest method I've ever seen. I'm glad I graduated years ago.... Rant over

AMEN.

 

[emma_tuttle]

My school district did a few weeks of sample testing with 9th and 10th grade last year for common core. One of my brothers who was in 9th grade at the time came home frustrated everyday because of the math. This kid is a math whiz. He usually gets near 100% on all of his tests and never struggles with homework, so I think it speaks volumes that he was so upset with this. I was in 11th grade at the time, and believe to be the last class in my school district that will not use common core. Our district hasn't begun using it yet, but I think they'll have to after this senior class graduates since we're in California. I'm not completely caught up on how all of this works since it doesn't apply to my class, but I think our district has to use it since our state adopted it right?
That being said, I am terrified for my youngest brother (currently in 7th grade). He and I both struggle with math, but his issues are hugely amplified because he has severe ADHD and dyslexia. He cannot get through a night of math homework without crying. The ADHD affects his self confidence and his problems with math only make it worse. I just don't see how he will be successful once our district implements common core. My parents are very worried about it and I just feel so sad knowing how much he's going to struggle with it. He tries so hard and puts hours into each homework assignment trying to grasp it.

I'm like your first brother and the same thing happened to me with one of those standardized tests! I'm pretty sure my school hasn't implemented common core yet. Obviously I've never taken these courses before, but from what I've heard from my cousin who is a teacher, it hasn't changed much from recent years