Thursday, February 4, 2016

COMMON CORE UNIVERSE

Is it a common core universe? More moms and grandmas are talking about common core math than kids. And teachers are complaining too. I hear it a lot in general gatherings. My question is in 10 years which group will be better at math? Also IS it also teaching abstract thinking and problem solving skills? Or is it more dumbing down of America. I am furious about removing cursive from the curriculums. I was upset years ago when they removed phonics, art, drama, PE, music and now cursive writing. I think they have brought those back.
I would know. The outcome of not having phonics when I was in 1st grade messed me up. It was not put back into California schools until my kids were out of school. They had several failed and replaced curriculum methods, one was the whole reading approach and they also had this thing called “New Math” that most people did not understand. The blessing was that I sought help for my children when in the 3rd grade for them to learn reading, spelling and writing including cursive. My mom said I could not spell as an adult back then.
I was lucky enough to catch the news interview with our former state school superintendent of that time giving a genuine apology for removing phonics and a promise to get it back into the schools. Solution: I became a phonics specialist and learned by teaching. I taught my children and many others what the school should have done right the first time. If I learned it as a child perhaps I would be a scientist or MD. Too much time passed and it effected my confidence to progress during school and I hated to read or write. I can imagine what it does to the children. They are the leaders of tomorrow. The same people that will take care of us in nursing homes.
What is the Common Core? It is a standard for English and Math. It is meant to compete with the educational system in other countries. It is not easy for the initial concept to be understood by most. I will show an example here from  https://www.facebook.com/Strzala4Senate/videos/484185855099066/
The math problem must be written horizontal. After all lines are equaling a number by 5 or 10 and show the whole number in the beginning of the question, the second column is added up and IS the answer.
Instead of the vertical method, it is writen horrizontal. 


43-13=___
13+ 2=15
15+ 5=20
20+10=30
30+10=40
40+  3=43

Division looks very similar and is taught using a lot of 1 and 10 and some 5 adding the middle like in the above subtraction example. The addition is the only one that makes sense to me it looks like pre-algebra and will ready the kids for algebraic factors. It is added up in the far right column. I can actually see a reason for it.
About cursive writing the generation today wont be able to write or read cursive and that means very few will be able to read old documents and family papers. Also many will be dependent on an interpreter for history and vital records, census’ and so much more. Haven't they thought this all through? Or is it an attempt to erase history? This reminds me of the 2006 movie Idiocracy, Where the entire country had Gatorade for tap water and people were just plain unintelligent.
It isn’t it ironic that now I am an Author, Narrator and Voiceover actor reading aloud and love it. With phonics it is easy. How many mathematicians will society gain with common core? 
If you can, take a look at the photos in this Salon article with the check and the kids school assignment done by a parent.









Rev. Dr. Tracy Elman, D.D., D.M. Dream Maker Coach, Multi-Award Winning and Best-Selling International Author, Educator, Storyteller, Narrator, Speaker, and Founder of Leap To New Heights. Tracy takes you on a captivating journey, while keeping you riveted with every word she speaks. Tracy voiced over 65 recorded characters. Appearances include commercial, VO & ADR, magazines, newspapers and radio interviews internationally.
www.TracyElmanBooks.com Amazon, Audible, iTunes, Kindle and more


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