Common Core Math Standards Essay

730 Words3 Pages

The article I chose to read was about the struggle with the Common Core math standards. The Common Core standards are geared more towards the “why” just as much as the “how.” The author talks about how this is a complete change in pace from what teachers grew up and learned. The new change being so different from what teachers have learned has made it very difficult for them to teach. There have been changes made within some education schools regarding this issue. Some changes that have been made are a revised curriculum and add more math coursework for college students. This was advised to help better prepare them for the new math taught in elementary schools. Some disagree with changing the amount or type of coursework saying there needs to be a class geared …show more content…

My cooperating teacher and 3rd grade team is very frustrated with the stress they are under trying to understand the math they are teaching. Last year, they were one of the districts who was given a new math curriculum to better match the Common Core standards. They said the first year, we taught it exactly how it was written but we noticed a large drop in their MAP scores. This being the second year with the curriculum my cooperating teacher has decided to teach the same curriculum but show the students multiple ways of solving the problems. She will do the problem the way it is stated in the math book but also show them the ‘traditional’ way. This then allows the students to solve the problem in the way that works best for them. They have also noticed a difference in the amount of word problems that the students are being asked to do. Being in 3rd grade is a large leap from 2nd grade. They have a lot more on their plates in all subject areas and even more now due to the standards. Not only do they have to memorize all their multiplication facts, they now have to perfect their reading of math