Why are people so upset about Common Core?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. This is the problem with education. The teachers care more about their standardized tests than that a child perform exceptionally well. A test means more than a beautifully written paragraph.

Are the teachers telling the child that the child should not write a beautifully-written paragraph? If so, that's a problem.

Or are the teachers saying that one of the skills the test tests is [whatever that thing is], and so therefore the child should know how to do it, even if the child chooses not to? I really don't see a problem with that.

[Anonymous]

Or are the teachers saying that one of the skills the test tests is [whatever that thing is], and so therefore the child should know how to do it, even if the child chooses not to? I really don't see a problem with that.

The assumption is that all people "think" in the same way. That is not a correct assumption.

[Anonymous]

I never used any pre-writing stragies prior to writing anything except one term paper in high school where I had to turn in note cards for each topic. I hated it. Some people just don't need to write it down. I remember my 9th grade teacher using a Venn diagram to compare/contrast one civilization to another. Everyone thought it was SO incredible but I thought, "Do people really need to have something like this to compare and contrast?" If someone can write a paper and get an A on it, they clearly do not need to show their "pre-writing."

[Anonymous]

I never used any pre-writing stragies prior to writing anything except one term paper in high school where I had to turn in note cards for each topic. I hated it. Some people just don't need to write it down. I remember my 9th grade teacher using a Venn diagram to compare/contrast one civilization to another. Everyone thought it was SO incredible but I thought, "Do people really need to have something like this to compare and contrast?" If someone can write a paper and get an A on it, they clearly do not need to show their "pre-writing."

I agree. And, the same goes for math problems. Sometimes, it is hard to illustrate how your brain works. I have a pretty decent memory--but I cannot tell you how I remember things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Or are the teachers saying that one of the skills the test tests is [whatever that thing is], and so therefore the child should know how to do it, even if the child chooses not to? I really don't see a problem with that.

The assumption is that all people "think" in the same way. That is not a correct assumption.

No, the assumption is that you're supposed to be able to do something on the test. It may be a skill that you use only for the test and never again. If so, it's hardly the only instance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never used any pre-writing stragies prior to writing anything except one term paper in high school where I had to turn in note cards for each topic. I hated it. Some people just don't need to write it down. I remember my 9th grade teacher using a Venn diagram to compare/contrast one civilization to another. Everyone thought it was SO incredible but I thought, "Do people really need to have something like this to compare and contrast?" If someone can write a paper and get an A on it, they clearly do not need to show their "pre-writing."

Almost everybody is a better writer for learning about pre-writing strategies. And nobody is a worse writer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

DC 5th grader in mcps came home with a math test and wanted me to sign it. The was one question he left it blank. I asked him if he knew how to solve the problem and got an answer as yes I know it but I really don't see the point to write it out. This is common core teaching. If the teacher focuses to much on it, the kid who has liked math will be turned off. My poor math smart son. I hope he will figure it out soon, otherwise, he will fail the only subject he loves and is good at.

If your child is really math smart, he would understand the importance of being able to explain how he got an answer to show he understands how math works. He might not like writing it out, but that is his evidence to show his understanding and if he refuses to do it, then he should lose the points. More importantly, though, I would worry about a parent who doesn't believe in the importance of demonstrating understanding. This is something you should care about. How do you know he is math smart?

Okay, he is math smart because he was assessed in the old curriculum as two grade above his grade level in math. His reading is also advanced but he could not write. We have been thinking to have him tested for learning disability but his teachers thought he doesn't have problem. His third grade reading teacher seems really understand his problem so she never pushed him and let him worked on his own pace. I totally understand the importance of be able to express himself in writing but sometimes, the development of a kids ability to learn different subjects is not always even and could not be forced. I don't think his case is unique, there a lot of boys having seminar issues. His teacher couldn't make him to write and so do I. If you have any magic bullet, I would be very happy to learn from you.

[Anonymous]

I am trying to get a better understanding of Common Core. I have a few questions.

What happens if a kid cannot achieve the standard by the end of the year?

On the CCSS website, there is a 3 minute video where it talks about "landings" along the way. Can anyone tell me more about these landings? What exactly are they, and how often?

I see many people who don't like it because it's too hard, others don't like it because it's too easy. Wouldn't this indicate that it's actually a pretty good middle ground? Of course, schools that wish to exceed the standards are free to do so. My 2nd grader has work that is called "Common Core Review" as well as other math work. The Common Core is quite easy compared to the rest. Shouldn't the schools that think it's too hard realize that that's the case because their current standards are too easy?

And finally, what would you say to this relative of mine? Her daughter is in 1st grade. She is a summer baby and started K when she was 5. She struggled through K. Her teacher recommended that she repeat it, but the parents sent her to 1st grade anyone. They admitted it was mainly because K is half day and the SAHM wanted her out of the house all day. She is still struggling to read, and the mom has decided that it's because she and the teachers were forced to try to rush her into reading, and Common Core is to blame. My thought is that she hasn't been rushed into reading. She's been rushed into a grade she was not ready for. I have no problem with kids starting K young (my summer baby did), but only if they are ready for it. I need to keep the peace with this relative, so I can't say anything too snarky. But she is constantly droning on about how they are victims of CC when I just don't see that being the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I never used any pre-writing stragies prior to writing anything except one term paper in high school where I had to turn in note cards for each topic. I hated it. Some people just don't need to write it down. I remember my 9th grade teacher using a Venn diagram to compare/contrast one civilization to another. Everyone thought it was SO incredible but I thought, "Do people really need to have something like this to compare and contrast?" If someone can write a paper and get an A on it, they clearly do not need to show their "pre-writing."

I agree. And, the same goes for math problems. Sometimes, it is hard to illustrate how your brain works. I have a pretty decent memory--but I cannot tell you how I remember things.

+2

Same here!

[Anonymous]

Pre-writing strategies are for elementary, not upper grades. I'm very happy they're taught. If they're easy for you, just one more thing you'll be good at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I never used any pre-writing stragies prior to writing anything except one term paper in high school where I had to turn in note cards for each topic. I hated it. Some people just don't need to write it down. I remember my 9th grade teacher using a Venn diagram to compare/contrast one civilization to another. Everyone thought it was SO incredible but I thought, "Do people really need to have something like this to compare and contrast?" If someone can write a paper and get an A on it, they clearly do not need to show their "pre-writing."

I agree. And, the same goes for math problems. Sometimes, it is hard to illustrate how your brain works. I have a pretty decent memory--but I cannot tell you how I remember things.

+2

Same here!

so what you are saying is that, even though this strategy is best for most people, since it is not best for you, it shouldn't be done. After all, you are the most important person in the world, and who cares at all if this strategy helps most people and that you and your kid are going to be just fine even if she got an A instead of an A+?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To 19:16 - well, it's a bit of a secret, but most fourth graders in mcps don't know their times tables thanks to the new curriculum based on the common core. This is precisely because they didn't teach them at school in third or fourth grade. And guess what? They are realizing that kids can't do long division without having a strong grasp of basic times tables. So go ahead and make light of it, but it's a very real problem with the math curriculum.

Crazy talk, I'm in Maryland (not Montgomery County) and we are following common core in our county. Multiplication is still taught in second grade just as it has always been, same with division. Whatever you are complaining about has nothing to do with common core.

Since when are multiplication tables standard in 2nd grade? It hasn't always been taught in that grade and isn't being taught in VA currently. Ralphie in A Christmas Story was doing double digit addition in 3rd. The only 2nd grade standard I see for multiplication is this one. Not memorizing times tables yet. If the states are making the standards higher, there should be complaints against that state's standards only.

Work with equal groups of objects to gain foundations for multiplication.

CCSS.Math.Content.2.OA.C.3
Determine whether a group of objects (up to 20) has an odd or even number of members, e.g., by pairing objects or counting them by 2s; write an equation to express an even number as a sum of two equal addends.

CCSS.Math.Content.2.OA.C.4
Use addition to find the total number of objects arranged in rectangular arrays with up to 5 rows and up to 5 columns; write an equation to express the total as a sum of equal addends.

[Anonymous]

so what you are saying is that, even though this strategy is best for most people, since it is not best for you, it shouldn't be done. After all, you are the most important person in the world, and who cares at all if this strategy helps most people and that you and your kid are going to be just fine even if she got an A instead of an A+?

I think she is saying that you shouldn't penalize the kid who can write the beautiful paragraph without the strategy. That doesn't mean the teacher can't teach it---but the final product should be the test.

[Anonymous]

cont. Would you ask a child who can ride a bike to prove that he can ride a tricycle?

[Anonymous]

http://dailycaller.com/2014/04/02/common-core-aligned-curriculum-cant-even-count-to-20/

Sad, the publishers are not proofing their materials--back in the day, teachers piloted these programs to be sure they were right. Do school systems do this anymore?