A clever fourth grader recently used ‘girl code’ to dodge a tricky Common Core math question, and her humorous response has captured the attention of many online.
The Math Problem
The problem posed involved four boys—Jake, Tom, Sam, and Phil—who each went on four dates with four different girls. The scenario described a series of dates, where Jake dated Anna the second time, Tom dated Bella, Sam dated Claire the third time, and so on. The math question required students to determine which boy dated which girl during each of the four dating occasions. This critical thinking exercise indeed called for charts and notes, skills that are essential not just for math, but also for puzzles like Sudoku. However, the real question at hand is: why are these boys cycling through each other’s dates? That was the concern for fourth grader Lily Adams, who had a unique take on the problem.
Lily’s Humorous Response
Lily responded, “I can’t solve this problem because my mom says that according to girl code, you shouldn’t date a friend’s ex-boyfriend.” Her mother, Sarah Adams, shared Lily’s witty answer on social media, commenting, “My daughter’s response to her 4th-grade math problem last night #girlcodetrumpscommoncore.” Sarah felt the subject matter was inappropriate for fourth graders, a sentiment echoed by many commenters. Yet, one could argue that understanding ‘girl code’ and the concept of dating isn’t entirely out of reach for kids today.
Discussion on Values and Education
While girl code is undoubtedly important, if my daughter presented this answer at home, I would certainly want to discuss it further with her. In fact, earlier in the same assignment, Lily had answered another question about how many different stacks could be made with “a lot.”
Lily seems to have a knack for blending humor with critical thinking—her teacher even chuckled at her response and appreciated her point. The Common Core standards certainly spark a lot of debates among parents, but teaching children the value of completing their work and respecting their teachers remains paramount.
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Conclusion
In summary, a fourth grader cleverly navigated a complex math problem by invoking ‘girl code,’ showcasing the blend of humor and critical thinking in young minds. Parents may find themselves grappling with math standards, but this story serves as a light reminder of the importance of teaching values alongside academics.