Common core is a touchy subject these days. As a mother of a kindergartner, I haven’t quite lived this all first hand yet, but it is so clear that many parents are up in arms about it. Almost every day I see parents posting complaints on Facebook, or I hear these complaints during school pick up. But why? I’m sure its frustrating that a lot of parents are unable to help their kids with homework now, but does that mean the whole common core system is flawed? I don’t completely think so.
I agree that it needs some major work, but overall common core is a basic standard. It’s the realistic and simple expectation that children must learn certain skills by a certain grade. But why hasn’t that been implemented in a simple or realistic way? This is all set in place to make sure that every child is as college (and real life) ready as possible. Isn’t that what we all want for our children? Of course! Most teachers “believe standards help make sure all of the essential grade-level content is addressed for all kids, particularly those who might experience a "gap" in content by changing schools.” (Ridder, 2015) However, making sure that students are all on the same track does not mean our children need hours of homework to prepare for testing while neglecting other subjects like physical education and social studies. This can do more harm than good.
There are so many different ways that children learn, and teachers should still have the authority to implement different teaching techniques for different children, as long as the end result is the same. I think it’s a great thing that we are expecting a new generation of children to think about things differently. To get creative and think outside the box. To finally understand WHY. These are skills that we want the future leaders of our country to possess, right? “Common core puts creativity back in the classroom.” (Long, 2013) The ability to creatively solve problems is a gift we need to give todays children, but we can’t kill their spirit in the meantime. Can’t we find a happy medium with common core standards to make everyone happy?
References for Media
WWYD? February 11, 2016. “Common Core Cartoon” Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/65529497@N00/13977768897/in/photolist-sveCQw-rZTGG4-pREMeW-qyZsR1-DsCEus-5r3xg4-rrrsPC-771N9b-4nh2N1-ccks3Q-76XUCA-5KLZLn-ham2sc-PjUXn-9KfQ4k-hakYJX-pxqF7z-HRimt-niaHHt-9j9BBg-nLTu2c-njDem6-9naMXY-9jcJF5-8Jom1W-pfWeUq-pxoRRS-pxqDki-pvooGs-px9t1t-pfVr4n-pfVpWx-px9u6e-pxoSsS-pfVM4U-3bpJEt-37ofKA-djaFxZ-5wx7Ta-2jpYsH-oRsRXY-8Jkhjr-ukH8HC-u4w7c5-tp68oh-u4w7kw-umifna-tpgopi-ukH2DJ-u4Edvc
Works Cited
Long, C. (2013, May 10). Six Ways the Common Core is Good For Students. Retrieved February 11, 2016, from neaToday: http://neatoday.org/2013/05/10/six-ways-the-common-core-is-good-for-students-2/
Myths vs. Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved february 11, 2016, from Common Core State Standards Initiative: Preparing America's Students For College & Careers: http://www.corestandards.org/about-the-standards/myths-vs-facts/
Ridder, K. (2015, April 20). 6 Reasons Teachers Praise Common Core. Retrieved February 11, 2016, from Newsmax: http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/common-core-reasons-teachers-praise/2015/04/20/id/639602/
I agree that it needs some major work, but overall common core is a basic standard. It’s the realistic and simple expectation that children must learn certain skills by a certain grade. But why hasn’t that been implemented in a simple or realistic way? This is all set in place to make sure that every child is as college (and real life) ready as possible. Isn’t that what we all want for our children? Of course! Most teachers “believe standards help make sure all of the essential grade-level content is addressed for all kids, particularly those who might experience a "gap" in content by changing schools.” (Ridder, 2015) However, making sure that students are all on the same track does not mean our children need hours of homework to prepare for testing while neglecting other subjects like physical education and social studies. This can do more harm than good.
There are so many different ways that children learn, and teachers should still have the authority to implement different teaching techniques for different children, as long as the end result is the same. I think it’s a great thing that we are expecting a new generation of children to think about things differently. To get creative and think outside the box. To finally understand WHY. These are skills that we want the future leaders of our country to possess, right? “Common core puts creativity back in the classroom.” (Long, 2013) The ability to creatively solve problems is a gift we need to give todays children, but we can’t kill their spirit in the meantime. Can’t we find a happy medium with common core standards to make everyone happy?
References for Media
WWYD? February 11, 2016. “Common Core Cartoon” Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/65529497@N00/13977768897/in/photolist-sveCQw-rZTGG4-pREMeW-qyZsR1-DsCEus-5r3xg4-rrrsPC-771N9b-4nh2N1-ccks3Q-76XUCA-5KLZLn-ham2sc-PjUXn-9KfQ4k-hakYJX-pxqF7z-HRimt-niaHHt-9j9BBg-nLTu2c-njDem6-9naMXY-9jcJF5-8Jom1W-pfWeUq-pxoRRS-pxqDki-pvooGs-px9t1t-pfVr4n-pfVpWx-px9u6e-pxoSsS-pfVM4U-3bpJEt-37ofKA-djaFxZ-5wx7Ta-2jpYsH-oRsRXY-8Jkhjr-ukH8HC-u4w7c5-tp68oh-u4w7kw-umifna-tpgopi-ukH2DJ-u4Edvc
Works Cited
Long, C. (2013, May 10). Six Ways the Common Core is Good For Students. Retrieved February 11, 2016, from neaToday: http://neatoday.org/2013/05/10/six-ways-the-common-core-is-good-for-students-2/
Myths vs. Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved february 11, 2016, from Common Core State Standards Initiative: Preparing America's Students For College & Careers: http://www.corestandards.org/about-the-standards/myths-vs-facts/
Ridder, K. (2015, April 20). 6 Reasons Teachers Praise Common Core. Retrieved February 11, 2016, from Newsmax: http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/common-core-reasons-teachers-praise/2015/04/20/id/639602/
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