Posted on 03/26/2014 10:39:08 AM PDT by grundle
A Facebook update from a father frustrated with the Common Core math program at his son's school is making the Internet rounds after the father Jeff Severt expressed (via what looks like a kid's homework assignment) how convoluted the teaching approach is.
The worksheet posted to Facebook shows the elaborate Common Core (CC) formula for solving a math problem (as opposed to the simple strategy of subtracting the smaller number from the larger one). It instructs the student to explain why a fictional kid named "Jack" should be using common core strategies to solve the problem: “Jack used the number line below to solve 427 - 316. Find his error. Then write a letter to Jack telling him what he did right, and what he should do to fix his mistake.”
Severt's response reads, “Dear Jack, Don’t feel bad. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronics Engineering, which included extensive study in differential equations and other higher math applications. Even I cannot explain the Common Core mathematics approach, nor get the answer correct. In the real world, simplification is valued over complication. Therefore, 427 - 316 = 111. The answer is solved in under 5 seconds — 111. The process used is ridiculous and would result in termination if used. Sincerely, Frustrated Parent.”
(Excerpt) Read more at shine.yahoo.com ...
Looks like they’re doing to math what they did to reading.
Core Curriculum = Yo Child Left Behind
Nothing like a number line drawn off scale and fixing someone else’s hypothetical far-fetched error to teach an eight year old how to do subtraction.
“Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision”
The designers of this common core math need to be horsewhipped. I don’t expect that to change their minds, either, but it is simple justice.
I remember doing number line exercises like this long before common core. This problem is relatively sensible and shows how to subtract hundreds, tens and ones and allows the students to learn through finding the errors of others. There’s a lot bad about common core, but I don’t think this problem is the place to do battle. Now if this is all that is taught, or if it is used to prevent full understanding rather than being a stepping stone then fight it.
Jack,
You did right by trying to do your homework. However, your error was using a number line to solve an extremely simple subtraction problem. Forget common core "math" and ask your parents how to do real math .
Sincerely,
kevkrom
Personally, if I were trying to solve 427-316 in my head, I too would first take off the 300, and say to myself "Okay, now it's 127-16." Then I'd take away the 6 and think "Okay, now it's 121-10," and from there I'd be okay. I think that's what they're trying to teach here.
It is just plain stupid to teach math this way.
What the hell is THAT? (3rd grade class of 1955)
I’ve never heard of Uglification.
-1 *scoffs* at you for being so gullible.
Then, on top of that, is the constant suspicion that the government wants to bring up a generation of compliant drones rather than educated citizens and common core is the path to do that.
Even there, describing how to translate the problem doesn’t need a number line. The various stages (X - Y) = ((X - 10) - (Y - 10)) could be put down as such.
This used to be called ‘going around your ass to get to your elbow.’ I would give them the benefit of the doubt if one of the numbers was negative and the problem was to explain measuring displacement on the number line, but if this is supposed to aid skill in basic subtraction it is ridiculous.
It’s like trying to teach algebra without teaching algebra.
Why not just give in and teach algebra. It could be kept really simple. This doesn’t need to be your high school algebra. Then, from the simple algebra go to the numeric applications.
They are using a number line to solve a multiplication problem. They also use hash marks to solve multiplication and division. Seems they want kids to “visualize”.
I taught my own kids. The problem here seems to be that you only use visualization until they get the concept, which is a very short time and should be done on an individual basis. “Here is a pizza - cut it into pieces”. It’s all part of holding kids back to be equal with the common herd, rather than moving forward into their excellence.
And I’m sure it all has to do with money. We all know what redoing curriculums and textbooks is all about, don’t we? Government mandated money spending to the tune of millions.
” Dear Jack,
We have found the mistake and included the correction for you.
Take this letter to your teacher, with a carbon copy for the principal, informing them you will be leaving the public school system, and will be homeschooled.
It seems this is the only correct answer to the problem of schools too stupid to teach simple basic math.”
If not, I'd take my kid out of the commie schools and get them into whatever school that will teach them correctly. Working parents or otherwise should get together and hire a retired teacher to teach their children the way we were taught in the 40s and 50s, speaking for myself and my education. These kids must not be allowed to be indoctrinated in this commie/marxist/communist attempt to educate and control OUR CHILDREN.
PARENTS, TAKE YOU CHILDREN BACK! IT IS YOUR GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO BE THE ONY PERSON WHO DECIDES HOW YOUR CHILD WILL EDUCATED. AS LONG AS YOU DO NOTHING, THEN YOU ARE COMPLIANT WITH THE LEFT. FIGHT FOR YOUR KIDS AND YOUR RIGHTS!
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