Parents' frustration with distance learning -- "Common Core Math Methods"

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around parents' frustrations with the "Common Core" math methods used in primary education, particularly during distance learning. Participants share their experiences and challenges in helping their children with math homework, highlighting the differences between traditional methods and the new techniques introduced by Common Core.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express that the new "Common Core" methods, such as "grouping," complicate the process of helping children with math homework.
  • Others recount personal experiences where children struggle to explain their teachers' methods, leading to frustration for both parents and students.
  • A participant mentions that elementary school teachers often lack strong math skills, which may affect the quality of math education.
  • Concerns are raised about the adequacy of math curricula, with some participants suggesting that traditional methods may have been more effective.
  • One participant shares a positive experience with a math tutor who provided personalized support, contrasting it with the challenges faced in the school system.
  • There is a discussion about the differences in multiplication table education between the US and other countries, suggesting that broader memorization could enhance math skills.
  • Some participants reflect on the cultural attitudes towards math, particularly regarding gender stereotypes and the implications of parents' attitudes on children's learning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express frustration with the Common Core methods and the challenges they pose, but there is no consensus on the effectiveness of these methods compared to traditional approaches. Multiple competing views remain regarding the best way to support children's math education.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in their understanding of Common Core methods, and there are references to personal experiences that may not represent broader educational trends. The discussion includes anecdotal evidence and subjective interpretations of educational practices.

Who May Find This Useful

Parents navigating distance learning, educators interested in different teaching methods, and individuals concerned about math education and its impact on children.

  • #91
Having gone back to the beginning of this thread there seems to be a misconception that a problem with Common Core is the unfamiliar teaching methods. Common Core does not specify how a subject is taught but establishes performance expectation for students by year four and eight in primary school. Teaching methods are left to the teacher.

Below is a link to an NPR podcast explaining the Common Core program. (About 11 minutes)

https://www.apmreports.org/episode/2013/07/30/common-core-explained

berkeman said:
I spent a lot of time on my smartphone in the late 1970s when I was graduating high school and going through undergrad and doing my MSEE. Oh wait...
@berkeman, you know when you time travel, you're not supposed to bring advanced technology back to the past.
 
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  • #92
... you know when you time travel, you're not supposed to bring advanced technology back to the past.

tech like your time machine? Maybe that rule answers the "where is everybody" question.
 
  • #93
The rule first came up when Mark Twain wrote the story A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. In the movie version Bing Crosby brought back a lighter.
 
  • #94
hmmm27 said:
12x12, late '60s... maybe the excuse for stopping at 10x10 is that "dozen" is now considered archaic ?

Meh, make them go to 16x16 to be modern.
Make it with Roman Numerals. Or Binary. Or with Complex Numbers.;).
 
  • #95
No real problem in memorizing Multiplication Tables or Multiplication Facts. Memorizing does not have to mean without-understanding. Why stop at 10s? Why stop at 12s? But remember some integer square is easier. I cannot explain why. 15 x 15 = 225; I computed this on paper a couple of times and never forgot the fact. Interesting about 13x13 and 14x14, because the resulting digits in the Ones and the tens place are switched. We may remember 256 as a certain square because of what we read on labels and other places about memory storage,... 16x16=256.
 
  • #96
symbolipoint said:
Why stop at 10s?
In my case (mid-1960s) we stopped at 9*9. I just assumed that's because if you know up to 9 by 9, you know all the single-digit combinations, and can use the long multiplication to figure any longer ones.

I'm not sure, does the multiplication algorithm (see example) have a name?

312
x 14
1248
3120
4368
 
  • #97
gmax137 said:
In my case (mid-1960s) we stopped at 9*9. I just assumed that's because if you know up to 9 by 9, you know all the single-digit combinations, and can use the long multiplication to figure any longer ones.
Same here.
 
  • #98
gmax137 said:
I'm not sure, does the multiplication algorithm (see example) have a name?

312
x 14
1248
3120
4368
Long Multiplication, or Long-hand Multiplication; but I am uncertain of the exact name.

An alternative was sometimes taught, "Lattice" Method, which is not much different except that the digits were arranged in a rectangular arrangement with rows and columns. (Hard to show here.)
 

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