The Common Core Math Subtraction meme I see going around is probably the best example of the predictable foolishness of conservative stereotypes about the government combined with the medias love of easy narrative. I mean really, stop and think about it for a second: do you REALLY think that people whose jobs are to teach math all got together and decided, collectively, that theyd force Americas students to learn math in a MORE difficult way because . . . bureaucracy? Because its fun to push kids around? Because Barry Soetoro (or whatever the nuts call him when theyre suggesting hes a secret Nigerian operative) and Hillary just woke up one morning and decided to be idiots? Honestly, I think that says a lot more about how foolish and easily manipulated you are than anything else. Heres the most important thing you need to know about this new method of subtraction: teaching it is ENTIRELY VOLUNTARY. Common Core doesnt require it, it just recommends it; and in fact, core standards actually recommend teaching BOTH the old way and the new way. (corestandards.org/Math/Content/4/NBT/) And the reasons states are adopting this standard, along with others, is that its HOW YOU ACTUALLY DO MATH. Wait, whatre you saying? Thats not how you do math. Actually, youre wrong: its not how your teachers taught you to do math, but its TOTALLY HOW YOU DO MATH NOW. Think about it: if you went to McDonalds and were charged $4.49 and paid with a $10 bill, how would you calculate the change? Would you write out the complicated equation that you were taught in grade school? Or would you mentally throw a penny in there, subtract THAT from $10 to get $5.50, then take the penny back to get $5.51? Of course, youd do the latter, right? And thats exactly what this new Common Core standard is teaching: how actual humans do actual subtraction in the actual world. Suddenly doesnt sound bureaucratic and stupid anymore, does it?
Posted on: Mon, 19 May 2014 14:22:12 +0000
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