I sat at the kitchen table beside my 9-year-old daughter, her math book sprawled open before us. In one hand, I clutched a pencil, while my other hand scratched my head, trying to dig deep into my memory from when I was her age, recalling how to tackle these math problems. Meanwhile, my four-year-old was on the floor, having a meltdown over wanting string cheese, and upstairs, my 11-year-old was likely stalling on his homework, absorbed in a Rubik’s cube. Just another typical evening in our household.
I spent a decade studying English in college, and I’ve never been fond of math, science, or anything that involves significant figures. Math has always been a sore spot for me. Once I finished my last math class in college, I was relieved to leave it behind. Then, BAM! Kids arrived, bringing home math that stumped them, and they naturally turned to me for help. Suddenly, I found myself—a man with two master’s degrees—feeling like I belonged in a different era, struggling with something as basic as arithmetic.
To add to my frustration, just when I thought I had a grasp on the material—after dredging up long-forgotten skills to find a missing angle or solve for X—my daughter would cross her arms and say, “That’s not how my teacher does it. If I do it that way, I won’t get any points.” Each time, I felt like plunging my head into a bucket of ice water.
I had to remind myself that this wasn’t my daughter’s fault, nor was it her teacher’s. Her teacher is dedicated and works hard for the children in our community. But this is where the frustration with Common Core math comes into play.
You might be thinking, “Math changed?” Well, yes and no. Schools have shifted toward teaching “number sense” to help kids understand the reasoning behind math problems instead of just memorizing methods. Under Common Core, students learn multiple ways to solve problems—some familiar, others new and multi-step approaches. These unfamiliar methods often feel overly complex and leave parents yearning for simpler times.
All of us learned math back in elementary school, and many of us had our share of complaints. We navigated math without calculators or online resources, with our parents patiently guiding us through the process. They celebrated small victories with us, but we didn’t respond with, “That’s not how my teacher does it.” We were grateful for their help.
Now, however, we face an added challenge. Not only do we need to remember the math we once knew, but we must also adapt to new methods, all while juggling our busy lives filled with distractions.
As a father of three who juggles two jobs while my wife works full-time, I find myself scrambling through math textbooks and scouring the internet for new techniques as if I were back in school. It’s exhausting and maddening. I wish Common Core would disappear, as the homework struggles alone are challenging enough without the added complexity of new methods.
I understand that some parents and educators value Common Core. Honestly, I’ve accepted that it’s here to stay. My kids have a better understanding of mathematics than I did at their age, which is fantastic. But I also recognize my limitations and know I won’t enjoy assisting them with math, no matter the method.
What frustrates me the most is that if I’m going to be home helping my kids with math, I need clearer instructions for parents. Simple lessons, tutorials—anything to ease the burden on parents who are trying to assist their children each night.
It feels like parents have been left out of the equation, forcing us to sacrifice valuable family time as we scramble to relearn math online. That’s the most disappointing part.
I’ve discovered some helpful online resources. For instance, zearn.org offers excellent tutorials for both parents and children. Many schools provide access to their textbooks online, which can help clarify what the teacher is covering. Khan Academy has a fantastic collection of free videos that are immensely helpful, and this podcast from Cleveland Clinic provides great insights on related topics.
However, I had to seek these resources out, which often took time away from family. One evening, as I helped my daughter work through math problems until nearly 9 p.m., I saw the same admiration in her eyes that I had for my parents when they helped me. But there’s no reason we should be spending our evenings on math, and with better resources available for parents, we could reclaim some of that precious family time.
Ultimately, while learning new math methods is frustrating, the loss of family time is what truly irritates me about Common Core.