elementary schools using common core

[sll3454]

Originally Posted by fvncresident04

We are in Wake county and I am assuming since NC adopted common core the rest of the state is doing this also?

My daughter is in 5th grade. She is extremely good in math. Is anyone else outraged by the new method of teaching math? Base 10 blocks --grids--number lines? no more standard algorithm?

I'm not a common core fan, but taught math for over 20 years. Blocks, grids, and lines are good tools that can help children understand decimal concepts. From what I've read on city-data, though, in some classrooms teachers are teaching the tools rather than using the tools to teach concepts. I also wouldn't send that kind of homework home because it upsets the parents. Teachers should teach the concepts AND the algorithms, then send home some practice problems that the children can do independently.

What bothers me more than that, though, is the emphasis on communicating. There have always been students whose aptitude for math allows them to excel far beyond their verbal abilities. Tying the two together too tightly hinders those students and keeps them "average." Perhaps that makes educators more comfortable.

[Stagemomma]

I work in a public library...twice this week alone parents have come in and asked for a test prep book for their kids on math. Kindergarten math. Middle of the year, teachers put the pressure on parents to provide reinforcement that THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO PROVIDE. They give no guidelines on how the parents are supposed to accomplish this.

The library doesn't have math workbooks. We do have books for teachers with math activities for the classroom. Does the average parent know how to implement that at home? I can do the math, but I don't know the lingo and the process the teachers need the students to master.

If teachers want parents to work with kids at home, they need to send home specific activities. Sheesh!

[LLN]

Very simple:

Khan Academy
LearnZillion
IXL

All on line. First two provide instruction, the third will let you work 20 Problems a day, free.

You are welcome.