tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343459264734366982.post3969928767612451191..comments2023-06-09T02:04:02.276-07:00Comments on Ignorance Without Arrogance: 10-12-2014Clay Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836815876630710392noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343459264734366982.post-54138126412514150392014-10-12T21:47:34.463-07:002014-10-12T21:47:34.463-07:00Mr. Ballew, thank you for your time to comment. In...Mr. Ballew, thank you for your time to comment. In response to my statement about not being mandated, I stand by that comment. A state can still show standards that are not Common Core and still be able for the federal monies. But also, if the state does not want the Federal Government in their business, they shouldn't expect the money. I understand that a state may feel pinched by having to do this, but they do have a choice.<br />About the Hitler thing: I suggest you read some of my other posts. I am aware of the meme, but was not using that as an argument point. A failed attempt at humor maybe, but not as an argument point.<br />With your examples of your grandson's homework, I understand his frustration. And the parent's. But what you have described to me is a breakdown at the school level by not providing curriculum and information for the parent. I cannot see how that is the fault of a set of standards. The place value system has not changed because of Common Core. The Common Core does not instruct teachers and schools to leave out parents. On the contrary, there are plenty of resources available on the Internet. In addition, I would think that the state, school district, and school should provide information about the CC. But again, the CC is not about how it is taught. It is a set of standards.<br />In regards to your comment about the testing that goes with it, sure. I have doubts about that end too. As I said, I was addressing two issues and not defending the CC against all complaints. Also, the state of Alaska does not follow the CC exactly. Almost, but not all. I believe we are the same with math, but have made a few minor revisions in LA so we can say we are not CC. <br />As for what my school does, we have held two community meeting to show our new curriculum. Our school has an open door policy, so any parent can come into the school to discuss what their student does, or to sit in the classroom with the students. I have a open door policy with the parents and have given my phone number so I can be contacted. We live in a very small, isolated community. Everyone is in walking distance. We also will be holding two more community meetings to discuss what we are doing in school. But again, CC did not invent any new math. Just additional ways to learn it.<br />Thanks again for reading the blog and I hope you read other posts so you may see I am not an activist here, but just a teacher commenting. Clay Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00836815876630710392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343459264734366982.post-6515975289720321862014-10-12T21:07:30.888-07:002014-10-12T21:07:30.888-07:00Agree with some of your points, a few you may have...Agree with some of your points, a few you may have dismissed too easily:In general<br />1) "The Federal Government has not mandated that states must use these standards." Sort of true; they were written in association between educational leaders, state agencies and other interested parties..... BUT, states that do NOT <br />adopt the common core standards are at a disadvantage in obtaining "race to the top" and other govt financial incentives... important when state budgets are already under pressure.<br /><br />On the other hand, people who object to things like the "adding on" method (Hitler's method? isn't there a meme about whoever first brings up Hitler loses?) <br />This process goes back to the Babylonians, and is as common as counting back change. The one advantage I found in years of teaching it, (Way before common core was ever dreamed up) and in High school not fourth grade, was that students were so ingrained in the "borrow ten" idea that if you gave them units other that decimal, they were totally lost... "How long is the leftover piece if a 3 ft 7 inch piece is cut from a 5 foot 4 inch board. The same problem occurs when you ask for the time in class from 9:47 am until 3:12 pm. <br /><br />My take on the problem with the CC is how they will be implemented and tested. When the HW or test question says "show how you got the answer using an array", you are no longer giving options, you have just required a different algorithm. <br />My son, an Architect, called me to ask about his fourth grade sons h/w with a question that asks " How many hundreds in 3046?" He wasn't sure if they wanted 0, (there is a zero in the hundreds place), 30, since there are 30 complete hundreds in the 3046, or if they might be getting into decimals and want .46 hundreds. The confusion, the classes had NO textbooks, and worked from handouts from the teacher. For the parent who didn't know the language (most of them) there was no resource they could look at for other problems to help their own child..... and THAT is what will kill common core more than all the political hacking back and forth, cutting the parents out of the process. What has YOUR school, or YOU, done to show you parents what common core math is.? Pat's Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15234744401613958081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343459264734366982.post-86243531962019354282014-10-12T20:06:58.039-07:002014-10-12T20:06:58.039-07:00Alright, but you have rounds 2-5. I'll get the...Alright, but you have rounds 2-5. I'll get the rest.Clay Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00836815876630710392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343459264734366982.post-44546082931711573702014-10-12T18:56:25.731-07:002014-10-12T18:56:25.731-07:00I read this. You owe me a beer. I'll meet you ...I read this. You owe me a beer. I'll meet you in ANC.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01932174596663926483noreply@blogger.com