[Joann37]

I’ve seen this letter several times, but it is meaningless without seeing the original Common Core problem and methodology for solving it. Has anyone seen it?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

There’s some sort of mishmash at the top of the paper.

[Eepsy]

It’s the rainbows at the top of the paper. The exercise seems to be attempting to teach mental math, where you subtract 100s first, then tens and ones. Not a bad thing, but not a good thing if you haven’t internalized the traditional algorithm first.

The most objectionable thing here is the teacher farming off his job on the parent.

[Cboldt]

Dear Jack: You were supposed to subtract, or go left, by "316." Why did you only subtract 306, when the assignment said to subtract 316? We need to understand the root of the problem, and figure out if you have bad reading skills, if the "0" and "1" are perhaps too similar in appearance and need to be changed, if perhaps your eyesight isn't sound. Maybe you were distracted by something, and if so, we should get to the bottom of that. If you are too easily distracted, we can direct you to medical doctors who can treat the problem. If you are distracted by boys, and think girls are icky, be assured that we are creating a tolerant world where those who don't accept diversity will be stoned to death.

I am a little concerned that perhaps your use of "306" shows an interest in assault weapons, because "306" looks like ".30-06." At least you didn't subtract "308," which would have created a different sort of mystery for us education experts to resolve.

Ultimately, Jack, you did get the right answer to the problem you solved, and so you will get a perfect score. You will be delighted to know that everybody in the class also got a perfect score!

[raybbr]

I’ve seen this letter several times, but it is meaningless without seeing the original Common Core problem and methodology for solving it. Has anyone seen it?

Huh? You can't see the problem? It states quite clearly in the text that Jack did the problem using the number line and got it wrong. Now, the student, instead of explaining in mathematical terms how to do it right, is supposed to write a letter explaining what Jack did right and then show him how to do it right? Get it?

[afraidfortherepublic]

Theh problem and solution using a “number line” is at the top of the picture. Look again.

[iontheball]

I’ve seen this letter several times, but it is meaningless without seeing the original Common Core problem and methodology for solving it. Has anyone seen it?

_________________________________________________
The problem is right there at the top of the sheet of paper.
Don't ask me to explain what Jack was up to in his approach to solve the simple subtraction problem.

[Aevery_Freeman]

What Common Core tries to do is to teach novice math students advanced mental math techniques gained only after years of performing rudimentary math mentally.

In the above example, the "teacher" wants to eliminate the tried-and-true columnar method of addition and subtraction and replace it with a step method (first subtract 300, then ten and then six) to arrive at the answer.

This is, of course, total nonsense and bordering on evil to do this to a kid.

Teach them the columnar method and let the skill develop with practice.

If cops designed houses, we would all live in prison cells. If firemen designed cars, cars would not be allowed to carry gasoline.

Sometimes allowing the professional to set the rules makes for foolish rules.