Frustrated Father Who ‘Obliterated’ Common Core in Viral Post

The Blaze ^ | March 25, 2014 | Erica Ritz

[Joann37]

I’ve seen this letter several times, but it is meaningless without seeing the original Common Core problem and methodology for solving it. Has anyone seen it?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Common Core Cant - Advocates cite dubious polling to support their claim that the issue is settle "With the Common Core State Standards encountering remarkable political turbulence, you might think advocates would focus their energies on making their case and answering critics. After all, just yesterday Indiana became the first state to reverse its decision to adopt the Common Core. Instead, leading advocates seem intent on using junk polling to say, “There’s nothing to see here.”

Yesterday, the Collaborative for Student Success — a mishmash of substantial educational philanthropies — released a poll that purported to show that Americans love the Common Core even if they don’t know it. The new poll showed that two-thirds of respondents like the Common Core and that one-third “strongly” support it. This is pretty remarkable given that, just last summer, over 60 percent of respondents told Gallup they had never heard of the Common Core. What explains the remarkable shift? It turns out that the positive response was elicited after pollsters read just “a single sentence describing” the Common Core.

That “single sentence” explained: “To ensure that all students are prepared for success after graduation, the Common Core Standards establish a set of clear, consistent guidelines for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level across subjects.” (The astonishing thing is that 24 percent of respondents disapproved even after this explanation.) Fifty-seven percent of Republicans reportedly support the Common Core, thus described, and 60 percent of respondents would be more likely to vote for a pro–Common Core candidate.".....................................

[Cincinatus' Wife]

There’s some sort of mishmash at the top of the paper.

[Joann37]

Yikes - is that it, the graphic at the top of the letter?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yikes! is right.

[Eepsy]

It’s the rainbows at the top of the paper. The exercise seems to be attempting to teach mental math, where you subtract 100s first, then tens and ones. Not a bad thing, but not a good thing if you haven’t internalized the traditional algorithm first.

The most objectionable thing here is the teacher farming off his job on the parent.

[Cboldt]

Dear Jack: You were supposed to subtract, or go left, by "316." Why did you only subtract 306, when the assignment said to subtract 316? We need to understand the root of the problem, and figure out if you have bad reading skills, if the "0" and "1" are perhaps too similar in appearance and need to be changed, if perhaps your eyesight isn't sound. Maybe you were distracted by something, and if so, we should get to the bottom of that. If you are too easily distracted, we can direct you to medical doctors who can treat the problem. If you are distracted by boys, and think girls are icky, be assured that we are creating a tolerant world where those who don't accept diversity will be stoned to death.

I am a little concerned that perhaps your use of "306" shows an interest in assault weapons, because "306" looks like ".30-06." At least you didn't subtract "308," which would have created a different sort of mystery for us education experts to resolve.

Ultimately, Jack, you did get the right answer to the problem you solved, and so you will get a perfect score. You will be delighted to know that everybody in the class also got a perfect score!

[raybbr]

I’ve seen this letter several times, but it is meaningless without seeing the original Common Core problem and methodology for solving it. Has anyone seen it?

Huh? You can't see the problem? It states quite clearly in the text that Jack did the problem using the number line and got it wrong. Now, the student, instead of explaining in mathematical terms how to do it right, is supposed to write a letter explaining what Jack did right and then show him how to do it right? Get it?

[afraidfortherepublic]

Theh problem and solution using a “number line” is at the top of the picture. Look again.

[petercooper]

bttt

[iontheball]

I’ve seen this letter several times, but it is meaningless without seeing the original Common Core problem and methodology for solving it. Has anyone seen it?

_________________________________________________
The problem is right there at the top of the sheet of paper.
Don't ask me to explain what Jack was up to in his approach to solve the simple subtraction problem.

[Aevery_Freeman]

What Common Core tries to do is to teach novice math students advanced mental math techniques gained only after years of performing rudimentary math mentally.

In the above example, the "teacher" wants to eliminate the tried-and-true columnar method of addition and subtraction and replace it with a step method (first subtract 300, then ten and then six) to arrive at the answer.

This is, of course, total nonsense and bordering on evil to do this to a kid.

Teach them the columnar method and let the skill develop with practice.

If cops designed houses, we would all live in prison cells. If firemen designed cars, cars would not be allowed to carry gasoline.

Sometimes allowing the professional to set the rules makes for foolish rules.

[quietly desperate]

The number line is wrong. There is no 117. You can’t get the right answer.

[txrefugee]

This is the asinine “new math” of the ‘70s recycled by the ignorant educates, who can’t manage to teach today’s students such rudimentary mathematics skills as the multiplication tables or how to measure with a ruler and yardstick.

[Resolute Conservative]

Just freakin’ memorize the add and multiplication tables, it is not that hard. Just sayin’.

[Night Hides Not]

The most objectionable thing here is the teacher farming off his job on the parent.

Common Core + Project Based Learning = Free Ride For Teachers.

[SunkenCiv]

Here’s a somewhat off-topic ping to a few science-related lists, you may find it interesting. Thanks Cincinatus’ Wife.

[Whenifhow]

4 Minutes
Glenn Beck: Common Core Frustration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am3nqUMQJV8

Glenn Beck: Anti-Common Core Dad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4d5gaISWbg

Glenn Beck: Teacher Resigns Because Of A ‘Disturbing Era In Public Schools’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRWXL1i2Xvo

Teacher’s Resignation Letter After 25 Years Describes ‘Disturbing Era’ in Public Schools

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/03/24/teachers-resignation-letter-after-25-years-describes-disturbing-era-in-public-schools/

[Shery]

I tutor a third grader on Tuesday afternoons. He took out his math homework and we proceeded to work through them as much as possible, but it was difficult. I am an RN and can still do algebra, etc. at age 65. One sheet was similar to this and I could not figure out how to explain the process to the boy so he could work the problems. I could not even explain how THEY (Common Core) got their answer, and this doesn’t even take into consideration the multiple errors I have found, just working with this kid on one day a week! This is the worst program I have ever see. I was a school nurse before retirement. I used to help students sent to my office for a “cooling off” period, and at times, I’d go to my husband’s classroom to help students when he needed assistance there. DoDDS at one time had a math program that was a similar nightmare, although, once you got used to it, one began to see how to use it better than this CC nightmare! There are also grammatical errors in the LA portions, as well, not to mention out and out distortions of American history! I’d be taking my own kids out of this mess, if I were a parent, and either place them in a good Christian school, or homeschool them.

My kids told me later that they wished I’d home schooled them through 8th grade, then let them enter HS. We thought of that, but with my husband being an educator, that was not looked upon very well. But, I should have, anyway. I think we could’ve avoided some of the weaknesses they struggled somewhat with. One 3rd grade teacher asked me to teach LA to her students and I said that (I was unemployed at the time) I wanted to be available to substitute for teachers or the school nurse. Consequently, that class-—my own son’s 3rd grade class-—did not have LA that year. We did not know that until he went to 4th grade! We were really upset, and my husband talked with the principal, who eventually strongly encouraged her to retire. Along with the school’s curriculum, there is the matter of the teacher, as well. Parents who can, should homeschool.