Hi there,

My name is Amanda and I think I'm finally ready to homeschool my almost 7 year old son. The Common Core curriculum is pushing me right over the edge. We live in Stafford, CT and I was wondering if there was anyone in or near our town that could offer any advice. Both my husband and I work full time so I'm not entirely sure how to make this all work but school is crushing my son. He went from loving math and doing addition, subtraction some multiplication and even memorized some square roots to not even knowing the difference between a plus sign and a minus sign. That is due to the ridiculous notion that sometimes you need to add before you subtract and vice versa. Yes, that's actually what he's being taught. Please, any tips? Is it possible to have him attend school but not allow them to teach him math? That's my big problem right now though I'm sure in time the entire curriculum will bug me.

Amanda,

I also live in Stratford and have a student in the schools, the same age. I have noticed the same exact problem/s, as you have describe. When a student is over-performing by the C/C standards, there is no outlet for them to be advanced. I have discussed this with the school and they act as if I were speaking in another language. The C/C lessons and homework are redundant and seemingly meaningless. I find myself quickly board by them, could you imagine a child? How about the riddles in order to even establish the two basic values that they are looking to have the student add or subtract? No child left behind = every child held back. I have spent the last year working on math with my daughter in order to offset the ridiculousness of this standard, or lack there of, in teaching.

I am exhausted with having teachers whisper during parent/teacher's that they, "Hate the program" and then dismiss their confession by suggesting that they have to follow policy. What other profession would allow someone to do something that they know as a professional is wasteful and counterproductive, but dismiss it as "Following rules"?

I would be more than happy to meet with you and your husband at our library to discuss.

Tom