(01-16-2015, 11:49 PM)Naunet Wrote: The method itself is not the problem. Diverse teaching strategies doesn't mean teach to a different curriculum, just to approach the method in a different way. Perhaps writing out the steps does nothing for one student (there are many kids who have varying levels of dysgraphia that often, sadly, goes undiagnosed though it can be countered given time), but perhaps manipulating tiles to illustrate the method makes things suddenly clear.Again, will have to politely disagree with you
You're taking issue with the wrong part of the equation, so to speak.
From the conversations with both my cousin and aunt from their teaching Common Core in the classroom, the problem with the students is the diverse teaching strategy itself. Like I said before "Why are we taking ten extra steps to solve a problem I learned how to do in three?". Or, to digress further, why are we forcing this to now be the general norm in the classroom, especially for the kids who are in tears of frustration trying to understand it?
There's very little flexibility. They've spent the last...I think they said for their respective districts one to two years slowly overhauling and sending teachers to conventions, classes, and giving them guides and videos on how to teach this new system. That this is how they must teach their kids to solve these problems or it reflects poorly on the teachers and on the schools.
It doesn't seem to matter how it's presented. Whether you break it down into steps, use flashcards, or whatever other teaching tools that suit each child better to their learning needs. That, from what I've seen, is being done to fit the needs of the child in the classroom already as long as they ask for help.
It's the process itself that they are struggling with, and it's the process that is currently being forced into the classrooms and onto the students. In the real world, when presented with complex problems, I (and others I'm sure as well) am going to use the method that is easiest and most comfortable for me. The one that gives me the correct answer the fastest with as little error as possible.
For some it might be Common Core. For others? Not. I still don't think it's right for it to be "this way or no way", which is what it's started to turn into. Seems a little too controlling for me.
