Have you ever looked at a math worksheet and wondered why the answers were marked “incorrect”?
This particular image has garnered over three million views in just a week, and the overwhelming reaction can be summed up in one word: “Huh?”
Understanding the Confusion
Let’s start with the first question: 5 × 3 equals 15, so what’s the issue? My brain, which hasn’t been trained in the intricacies of Common Core, interprets this equation as five, three times. However, it seems I’m expected to think of it as five times three, three times. The confusion lies in why it matters whether we say five, three times or three, five times — you arrive at the same result regardless. Why the complexity, math?
The Common Core approach is making me feel incompetent, and I acknowledge that this is why I’m resistant to it. If it somehow enhances my child’s math skills, I’m all for it, but right now, it feels overwhelming.
Beyond Math: Struggles with Shapes
And it’s not just limited to math. I never anticipated struggling with basic shape recognition while helping my kindergartner. But when my child brought home shape homework, I found myself perplexed. Yes, by a kindergartner’s assignment. It was a humbling experience. Here’s a brief overview of the worksheet:
- First and second rows: Easy peasy. Triangles and cylinders — got it!
- Third row: One shape features a face, which is definitely different. But another isn’t a full circle, so maybe that’s the odd one out? It’s a shape exercise, so I should focus on teaching my child to ignore the distraction of the face.
- Fourth row: Two squares are present, so the rectangle must be different. However, that last square is the only one without sharp edges, so perhaps that’s the distinguishing factor— OH, F#&@!
- Fifth row: Time for a drink.
I admit that I’ve been out of the educational system for quite some time, and I simply wanted to teach my child the basics: if it looks like a square, it’s a square; memorize multiplication tables. No one warned me there would be such complexities involved in parenting. My mother, a Greek immigrant, learned English while my older sister was in school—she certainly wasn’t expected to assist with math. Perhaps the lesson here is that we should let our children learn in the current educational frameworks? Ugh, don’t quote me on that. I truly don’t have a clear answer regarding the Common Core conundrum, but I wish I could help my child with confidence on their kindergarten homework.
I’ll be back soon — I need to brush up on my 4-year-old’s assignments.
This article was originally published on Oct. 28, 2015.
Further Reading
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Summary
This article discusses the confusion parents experience with Common Core math worksheets, highlighting the challenges of understanding modern educational methods. It reflects on the difficulties in helping children with homework and the evolving landscape of teaching and learning.