The "Common Core" Way to Problem Solve

I honestly can't remember the source of this picture, although it came across my Facebook news feed repeatedly.  As parents, we know how we learned math.  The teacher showed us the traditional algorithm and we just did it. Concerned moms and dads constantly come into our center frustrated because they can't help their student since they "aren't doing it right."

Why does it have to be this way? Why are Common Core Standards making it more complicated? That is a huge national debate I will let the experts defend, but it is our kid's reality for now.  The powers that be want the kids to know where the numbers are coming from and improve number sense. For many kids, they don't need all the pitstops along the way to get to the answer and the requirement of dragging out a solution actually becomes a huge turn off of math in general, or leads to careless mistakes, or leaves them more confused than just going with the "old school" way.

At Mathnasium of 4S Ranch we are striving to support our students in the ways presented by their teachers, but to also let kids know sometimes there are other ways to reach the same answer. Isn't the bottom line 32-12=20. Kids need to build up their own personal toolbox of math kids that make sense to them so they can think on their feet in the real world.  All this work for 32-12 is for an early elementary math student, just imagine something more complex and the steps for prealgebra, algebra, geometry, trig or calculus!  No wonder frustrated parents are seeking out quality math tutoring.

This is why I love our tagline: We Make Math Make Sense. Visit or call our center in 92127 to learn more.