Finally, I have been trying to explain to some family and friends that common core math is actually a better way.
They have no problem that I am an atheist, that I fully support the rights of two adults to marry whomever they please, that I would never vote for Hillary OR Trump, they can accept that, but to suggest that the old way of memorizing “times tables” and such is a poor way to teach math….OH MY GOD it is like trying to explain prop 60 to porners.
Both are like trying to explain philosophy to your dog, they look at you with this blank stare, then they open their mouth and illustrate that they didn’t understand a word you said.
I don’t want this to be a referendum on common core math, or prop 60
My point is that in both cases people cling to what they want to believe even though if they were simply smart enough to educate themselves they might understand it. Understanding it doesn’t mean you change your mind but at least you can put up an intelligent argument as to why you are for or against it.
One classic example was a mom whowas against common core and said “some kids just naturally get math and some don’t” SMFH…..Common core is for those that DON’T have a natural ability to understand math.
Be it common core or Prop 60 it comes down to the fact that people resist change because it requires them to learn something, it is far easier to refuse to learn and stand with a group of idiots than it is to educate yourself and decide for yourself.
One thing for sure, I am done trying to explain Common Core AND Prop 60 to people who don’t want to know the facts.
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Lol common core initial curriculum was teaching 1st graders to subtract borrowing ‘cups’ of sugar for a metric system. When I offered the teacher McMillan money games for the class she said nickels and quarters would confuse the kids. Either way memorization is key to success… process or counting. Glad I was in sixth grade before educators foisted algebra (process memorization) on us 😉
To borrow a quote from the movie Bull Durham, “…like a Martian talking to a fungo.”
I’m one of those peeps that “get” math. The common core math is exactly how I’ve have been doing math in my head since I was a kid in the late 1960s. Trying to explain it to parents that don’t “get” math, and learned the old memorization way, is a tall order.
Same for porn, new ways seem crazy and the old ways die hard.
@Toby
We must be near the same age. 20+ years ago it broke my heart to discover how many kids didn’t know the alphabet, couldn’t count to ten or tie their shoes entering kindergarten. I ‘get’ math too which is why it was so hysterical a teacher telling me coins would confuse kids couldn’t comprehend my issue with borrowing 8oz cups of sugar… she stopped using the cups once I explained she was messing with cooking conversions we were doing at home.
I am with you guys I was stunned by the vehement resistance to common core. To me it simply made sense and in the long run made math easier…I too had been doing it that way for years….But it comes down to what I said…if you dont understand it, your first emotion is to resist it, never mind that subconsciously you probably use it yourself,
Education is a powerful good thing, people should avail themselves of it more often
In todays world it makes sense because with tech kids are more geared to memorizing process than we were. Five year olds know how to turn devices on, enter security code and choose their app vs us open the door, don’t go too far & be home when you’re called unless you liked pinched ears 😉
Sixth grade algebra? I was a freshman in high school before I took an algebra class (and that was considered an advanced math class, most students didn’t take it until sophomore year). As for counting change I knew how to do that before I started kindergarten. Fifteen years ago I saw a freshman high school math textbook — they were teaching college-level statistics for crying out fucking loud! Leave the stats and calculus for college/university (if it is necessary for whatever degree/line of work a student is preparing for) where it is most appropriate. What they are teaching now with common core (which I understand was not fully implemented in MI) I don’t know. Things have sure changed, that is for sure.
Yes, that has changed too, Lurk. I was just talking with my father about kids riding bicycles — my older niece and younger nephew (both still minors) never learned how. I learned how to ride a bike before I was eight years old. Kids don’t seem to play outside much anymore, they prefer computer and tablets to keep them occupied. My nephew has his own laptop, both my nephew and older niece have their own tablets. When I was attending university what passed for computers (they would be unrecognizable as computers today) were the size of a house, were only used at government agencies, large universities and very large companies and cost millions of dollars.
One more change — if you spank or pinch the ears on your kid today you go to jail, it is considered assault, battery and/or child abuse depending on your state. No wonder kids grow up to be criminals in large numbers — you can’t punish them and nip criminal tendencies in the bud.
That mirrors my math timeline. Algebra 1 & 2 and Trigonometry in high school. Linear Equations, Calculus 101-104, Statistics and Numerical Analysis in college.
College bound students today are taking Calculus. It wasn’t even offered when I was in high school (grad HS 1978).
Yep with a waiver they can do AP calc in 9th stats in 10th and then 1/2 days at affiliated college for Jr & sr year, then two years for BA or BS