I know it is a touchy subject. Parents all around the country are frustrated and confused about Common Core Math. This guy decided to fill out a check using common core as his own little protest. Another dad with an engineering degree shared his frustrations with a note on his child’s homework. I can’t tell you how many parents have voiced their displeasure with this new way of doing math. However, it is time to stop complaining and get used to it.
Businesses reinvent themselves all the time to keep up with an always changing economy. Common core is the school’s way of changing with education. I know, it isn’t how we learned math and science and english, but it is how our kids are learning it. Change is difficult, but change encourages growth. The change won’t be so hard on the younger kids, because it will be their introduction to school. They won’t know how to do it any different.
Common core is, simply put, a set of standards. These standards are what teachers look to in order to identify how well students are learning. The idea behind common core math is that they are learning skills for the future. The way things are taught will carry over into upper grades and more advanced math. If they are familiarized with the strategies and learning tools at a young age, it will make middle school and high school math easier for them to understand.
In our house we are trying to adapt to the change without frustration. We visit the Khan Academy online to search for answers. We’ve checked out the state standards. The most helpful thing we’ve done is talk to our child’s teachers. Most teachers want their students to be successful. They feel fulfilled when they see a child who understands what is being taught. Most teachers are more than willing to help parents who want to be involved in their child’s education. The difference is: are you involved to help your child succeed or are you just complaining because it isn’t the way you learned how to do it?
It is not helpful to complain about the homework or classwork in front of your child. You can say things like, “This is difficult, but we can figure it out” or “Let’s email your teacher and see how to solve this problem correctly.” Then when they are in bed, feel free to complain with your spouse or other parents. Kids need to hear that they can do well. Remember homework is an extension of what has been taught in class that day. It is a way for kids to practice what they’ve learned. If they are struggling, it could be they didn’t understand what was being taught. This is another reason that you should talk with your child’s teacher if they seem to struggle with homework.
If you honestly have a problem with the way your children are learning, talk with the teacher, get in touch with the principal, attend a school board meeting and voice your frustrations. However, if you are just frustrated because “it’s not the way we did it back when” maybe you should recognize that change happens and sometimes it can be a good thing.
Here are five online websites that can help kids (and their parents) with math.
1. XP Math Games (Grades 2-9)
2. Math Flix (Grades 3+)
3. Brain Pop (Grades 3+) and Brain Pop Jr. (K-3)
4. IXL (All Grades)
