[BitWielder1]

My 8th grade middle schooler hates Common Core Algebra. When I try to explain Algebra the way I learned it, he tells me he can’t do it that way...

Tell him it won't hurt him one bit to know two different ways to do something, then he can choose which one works best for him.

[CurlyDave]

Tell him it won't hurt him one bit to know two different ways to do something, then he can choose which one works best for him.

But he can't choose. He gets zero credit unless he does it the common core way.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

..And if he chooses to do it the non-Common Core way he will be rewarded with an F.

[pepsi_junkie]

Tell him it won't hurt him one bit to know two different ways to do something, then he can choose which one works best for him.

It will hurt his grades. Most common core math problems start with "using method X" and end with "show your work". They aren't interested in getting the right answer, they care more about your process. Which might be okay if they didn't come up with needlessly complex and ridiculous processes to solve simple problems.

Like how they want you to find the sum 23 + 28. kids are told to subtract 3, add 2, add 20 + 30 = 50, add 3, subtract 2 to get 51. Five steps, not kidding.