It's impossible to step into a PTA or school board meeting without discussing Common Core. The much-talked-about program — which emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills — has had parents across the country in an uproar for the past few years. Since when does it require a mathematician degree to help your first grader with her homework?
While the majority of parents' concerns revolve around the testing methods used to measure students' success, it's the usually insanely detailed homework kids must complete that drives parents insane. Gone are the days of simple word problems and showing your work with numbers. Now, kids must decode confusingly phrased equations and use number lines, blank circles, and "hidden partners" to solve them. Sounds complicated? That's because it is. Here, a series of Common Core assignments that have reduced children — and their parents — to tears.
— Additional reporting by Alessandra Foresto
We don't know what's happening here, but at least the child got the correct answer.
Is this a road map or a math assignment?
Since when does basic arithmetic involve so many shapes?
Sticks and stones may break our bones, but Common Core hurts our heads!
Try getting your kid to eat a carrot after this problem.
We keep following the arrows and getting nowhere with this one.
But there are so many!
This dad couldn't help because he had no idea what the question was. Same, dad, same.
If little square equals large square . . . wait, we're lost already.
Why does Common Core make you explain everything in writing?
Who knew math grew on trees?
This kid won't let Common Core get her down.
Even Jeff Severt, an electronics engineer, couldn't help his son with this complicated math problem, so we should all just give up.