Common Core Math?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if Virginia schools use common core math? (We are new here.) Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Virginia does not use Common Core for any subject. We use what is referred to as Standards of Learning. Here is the VDOE site that might be helpful!
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/mathematics/index.shtml

[Anonymous]

SOLs are very similar to common core math in the sense that it focuses on teaching number sense. It's a far superior method to how we were all taught in school (where we basically memorized the algorithms but didn't actually learn math).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SOLs are very similar to common core math in the sense that it focuses on teaching number sense. It's a far superior method to how we were all taught in school (where we basically memorized the algorithms but didn't actually learn math).

I disagree. The schools do focus on number sense which is good but they spend precious little time on mastery. So my son learned a myriad of ways to divide but spent very little time on any one way. If math builds on itself, you have a shaky foundation. He and many other students have to go to tutoring to get what it lacking- mastery of an algorithm that works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SOLs are very similar to common core math in the sense that it focuses on teaching number sense. It's a far superior method to how we were all taught in school (where we basically memorized the algorithms but didn't actually learn math).

I disagree. The schools do focus on number sense which is good but they spend precious little time on mastery. So my son learned a myriad of ways to divide but spent very little time on any one way. If math builds on itself, you have a shaky foundation. He and many other students have to go to tutoring to get what it lacking- mastery of an algorithm that works.

The new math is still far superior to the way we were taught.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SOLs are very similar to common core math in the sense that it focuses on teaching number sense. It's a far superior method to how we were all taught in school (where we basically memorized the algorithms but didn't actually learn math).

I disagree. The schools do focus on number sense which is good but they spend precious little time on mastery. So my son learned a myriad of ways to divide but spent very little time on any one way. If math builds on itself, you have a shaky foundation. He and many other students have to go to tutoring to get what it lacking- mastery of an algorithm that works.

The new math is still far superior to the way we were taught.

I agree, but wouldn’t refer to math instruction as “new math”.

[whatshername]

Interesting! Thank you so much to all for your replies and for the link!

[Anonymous]

OP, the SOLs and common core are very similar. Here's a comparison so that you can see.

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/common_core/index.shtml

When common core was rolled out, some parts of the Virginia curriculum were moved forward or backward so that they aligned.

[Anonymous]

It’s also good to know the difference between standards and curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SOLs are very similar to common core math in the sense that it focuses on teaching number sense. It's a far superior method to how we were all taught in school (where we basically memorized the algorithms but didn't actually learn math).

I disagree. The schools do focus on number sense which is good but they spend precious little time on mastery. So my son learned a myriad of ways to divide but spent very little time on any one way. If math builds on itself, you have a shaky foundation. He and many other students have to go to tutoring to get what it lacking- mastery of an algorithm that works.

The new math is still far superior to the way we were taught.

At least I can do basic math unlike my 5th grader who finished ES without being able to divide accurately. Time at Mathnasium helped fix that and other basic math issues. Maybe I should send the bill to the board of education since they taught him lots of "strategies" but not one way he could use and get the answer. They spent 3 days on long division and that's it. He was behind when he started middle school at a private school.

[whatshername]

Thanks again, this is all very interesting. I'm sure I could not help with elementary school math!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SOLs are very similar to common core math in the sense that it focuses on teaching number sense. It's a far superior method to how we were all taught in school (where we basically memorized the algorithms but didn't actually learn math).

I disagree. The schools do focus on number sense which is good but they spend precious little time on mastery. So my son learned a myriad of ways to divide but spent very little time on any one way. If math builds on itself, you have a shaky foundation. He and many other students have to go to tutoring to get what it lacking- mastery of an algorithm that works.

The new math is still far superior to the way we were taught.

At least I can do basic math unlike my 5th grader who finished ES without being able to divide accurately. Time at Mathnasium helped fix that and other basic math issues. Maybe I should send the bill to the board of education since they taught him lots of "strategies" but not one way he could use and get the answer. They spent 3 days on long division and that's it. He was behind when he started middle school at a private school.

This was not our experience. DS learned both short and long multiplication and short and long division in 3rd grade AAP math.

[Anonymous]

The Commonwealth of VA has their own standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SOLs are very similar to common core math in the sense that it focuses on teaching number sense. It's a far superior method to how we were all taught in school (where we basically memorized the algorithms but didn't actually learn math).

I disagree. The schools do focus on number sense which is good but they spend precious little time on mastery. So my son learned a myriad of ways to divide but spent very little time on any one way. If math builds on itself, you have a shaky foundation. He and many other students have to go to tutoring to get what it lacking- mastery of an algorithm that works.

The new math is still far superior to the way we were taught.

Being able to solve a differential equation is presupposed on being able to quickly recall memorized information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SOLs are very similar to common core math in the sense that it focuses on teaching number sense. It's a far superior method to how we were all taught in school (where we basically memorized the algorithms but didn't actually learn math).

I disagree. The schools do focus on number sense which is good but they spend precious little time on mastery. So my son learned a myriad of ways to divide but spent very little time on any one way. If math builds on itself, you have a shaky foundation. He and many other students have to go to tutoring to get what it lacking- mastery of an algorithm that works.

The new math is still far superior to the way we were taught.

Being able to solve a differential equation is presupposed on being able to quickly recall memorized information.

And different people memorize things in different ways. I never learned well with rote drills; if I had been taught other ways to find answers—the way my DS is with Everyday Math—it would have been much easier for me to memorize those numbers, leading to an easier time in higher math.