Over the last couple of years I've heard rumblings and grumblings about the new common core. Although I taught math for several years in a public junior high, I've been out of the scene for five years now and before formulating my own opinions, I am in need of some research. For those who want to read the 90+ page document, here is the link:
http://www.corestandards.org/assets/CCSSI_Math%20Standards.pdf
90+ pages?!?!! Talk about scope creep! No wonder we don't know what's going on in our government -- the details are hidden in reams and reams of paper. *Sigh* I'll read it to be an informed citizen, but not until after I floss my teeth, read my scriptures, drink more water, clothe the naked, plant a tree, contact my congresman. . .
ReplyDeleteThanks for making me LAUGH!!!
DeleteI asked a good friend of mine who teaches math at Wasatch Junior High to tell me what SHE thinks about the new common core. Here are her uncensored comments:
ReplyDelete1) I think that the core is very good and that it focuses on the 'why' of math not just the 'how'. So many students can do the math but do not understand the reasons for the math. They really do not know how to think critically and the math core encourages this. I really believe the students learn more because we don't have a lot of concepts to teach so we can teach the required concepts deeper and give the students more experiences with each concept.
2) The only thing that I do not like is how the state implemented it. They should have taken more time (years) in bringing it out; starting in the lower grades and then adding the next year's course onto the curriculum. There would have been less learning gaps with all students and the districts/state would have assessments ready to use.
3) As to that teacher you just gave problems to her students and let them solve them on their own; they are very misinformed about how to teach. This core is not for the lazy teacher and requires the teacher to help their students understand the underlying concepts to the math they teach. One of the most common methods that the teacher is to use is "modeling" problems. Most students have no idea how to model real-world problems with equations and the teacher has to teach this method. (For my Secondary Math 2 Honors students, I am staying about 1-2 days ahead of them because the core is not completely written.)
There are some guidelines on how and what to teach for each level of the common core on the State Office of Education's website. Also, Jordan & Granite districts put out lesson ideas for each math core.