This Common Core Worksheet Is Leaving Parents Thoroughly Baffled

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Have you seen this math worksheet and wondered why the answers were labeled “incorrect”? It’s been shared millions of times this past week, and the general reaction has been a collective, “Huh?”

Let’s Break It Down

5×3 equals 15, right? So what’s the issue? My non-Common-Core trained mind interprets this as five, three times. Apparently, I’m supposed to think of it as five times three — three, five times. As a parent who struggles with math, I can’t quite grasp why it matters if it’s five, three times or three, five times — you’ll land on the same answer regardless! Seriously, math?

Common Core makes me feel a bit lost, and I’ll admit that’s why I’m hesitant about it. If it somehow turns my kid into a math whiz, I’ll gladly keep quiet.

More Than Just Math

But it’s not solely a math conundrum. I never expected to struggle with teaching basic shapes to a kindergartener. Well, I did. My little one came home with a shape recognition assignment, and I was completely stumped. It was pretty embarrassing!

There was one worksheet where the first two rows were easy peasy — triangles and cylinders, no problem! But then it got tricky. One shape had a face, so that’s definitely different. But another wasn’t a complete circle, so maybe that’s the odd one out? The fourth row had two squares, so maybe the rectangle is different? But wait, the last square is the only one that’s rounded. Oh boy, I need a drink!

I’ll admit, I’ve been out of school for ages, and I thought I could just teach my kid the basics: if it looks like a square, it’s a square. Memorize the multiplication tables. I never signed up for this math struggle in parenting. My immigrant mother learned English as my sibling did, so she wasn’t able to help me with math. Should we just take a backseat and let our kids learn their way? Ugh, don’t hold me to that. I’m just trying to help my kindergartener with homework and feel confident about my answers.

I’ll be right back — I need to brush up on my 4-year-old’s worksheets. Speaking of which, if you’re interested in similar topics, check out this post about pregnancy and home insemination.

In Summary

Navigating the complexities of modern education can be a challenge for parents. From math to shapes, it seems like a whole new world. Embracing our kids’ learning styles might be the key, but it’s certainly a journey!