Anonymous wrote:
Actually, this happened a number of years ago. My daughter was in Seventh grade, I think. As a writing teacher, you are surely a member of the NCTE. She was a high school winner in their contest, which, as I am sure you are aware, is considered quite an accomplishment. She went on to a “public Ivy” and graduated with Honors. She was a valedictorian in high school and began college with 29 credits, so ,no she was not one to challenge teachers or ignore instructions. However, she does not tolerate fools well and saw no need for the mind- mapping.
I understand that most people do need to plan. She does plan—in her head. I prefer paper. I think this is similar to the math tests that are being questioned—some of it is just stupid. I think the poster’s son felt the same way about the math question. It got in the way of his thinking. And, isn’t that what we want kids to do? Think?
The Common Core standards require testing, I think. When a test is attempting to evaluate a child’s thinking process, some of the questions are just plain dumb—and, by the way, do not necessarily evaluate what it is trying to evaluate. Some of these standards should be dropped. They are teaching tools—not standards.

Sooner or later your daughter's unwillingness to do the "busy work" will catch up to her. Employers prefer employees who do what is instructed, whether or not they think it important, over those that had the highest grades. Sounds like you didn't think it important enough to teach her that life lesson.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Example: On SOL, my daughter-an excellent writer--bombed out on the pre-writing. I asked her why: She said, "They want me to do mind-mapping, and I can't be bothered with that." She did it naturally in her head and did not want to do it on paper.

AS a writing teacher, I can tell you there are very few writers who write well without pre-writing; it is part of the writing process and needs to be demonstrated. Even if your daughter felt there was no value to mind-mapping and she is above it, there IS value in following instructions.

Your daughter may not want to "be bothered," and she may not want to be bothered with the work her teachers, professors, and bosses require from her later in life, and that is fine. But there are consequences to picking and choosing which instructions you will follow.

Actually, this happened a number of years ago. My daughter was in Seventh grade, I think. As a writing teacher, you are surely a member of the NCTE. She was a high school winner in their contest, which, as I am sure you are aware, is considered quite an accomplishment. She went on to a “public Ivy” and graduated with Honors. She was a valedictorian in high school and began college with 29 credits, so ,no she was not one to challenge teachers or ignore instructions. However, she does not tolerate fools well and saw no need for the mind- mapping.
I understand that most people do need to plan. She does plan—in her head. I prefer paper. I think this is similar to the math tests that are being questioned—some of it is just stupid. I think the poster’s son felt the same way about the math question. It got in the way of his thinking. And, isnt that what we want kids to do? Think?
The Common Core standards require testing, I think. When a test is attempting to evaluate a child’s thinking process, some of the questions are just plain dumb—and, by the way, do not necessarily evaluate what it is trying to evaluate. Some of these standards should be dropped. They are teaching tools—not standards.

Example: On SOL, my daughter-an excellent writer--bombed out on the pre-writing. I asked her why: She said, "They want me to do mind-mapping, and I can't be bothered with that." She did it naturally in her head and did not want to do it on paper.

AS a writing teacher, I can tell you there are very few writers who write well without pre-writing; it is part of the writing process and needs to be demonstrated. Even if your daughter felt there was no value to mind-mapping and she is above it, there IS value in following instructions.

Your daughter may not want to "be bothered," and she may not want to be bothered with the work her teachers, professors, and bosses require from her later in life, and that is fine. But there are consequences to picking and choosing which instructions you will follow.

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.

Exactly. The standards in the earlier grades where the kids have to draw pictures are examples. Sometimes, they are learning the process to pass the test and don't really
"get" it.

Anonymous wrote:Example: On SOL, my daughter-an excellent writer--bombed out on the pre-writing. I asked her why: She said, "They want me to do mind-mapping, and I can't be bothered with that." She did it naturally in her head and did not want to do it on paper.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

How does it change?

Bureaucracy and regulation. Look at Head Start and Title I. Good intent, high aspirations and disappointing results for the amount of money spent.

How does it change?