Common Core Math: A Parent's Guide to the 'New Math'

You sit down to help with second-grade math homework and see something like:

"Use a number bond and the make-ten strategy to solve 8 + 5."

You learned 8 + 5 = 13. Why does your child need to "make ten"?

Welcome to Common Core math—often called "new math" by parents who find it unfamiliar and frustrating. But before you dismiss it, let's understand what's actually going on.

What Is Common Core Math?

Common Core State Standards were adopted by most U.S. states starting in 2010. They don't prescribe specific teaching methods—they outline what students should understand at each grade level.

The key shift: emphasis on understanding over memorization.

Traditional Math vs. Common Core

Traditional approach (how we learned):

• Here's the procedure
• Practice the procedure
• Apply the procedure

Common Core approach:

• Understand why it works
• See multiple strategies
• Choose the best tool for each problem

Why It Looks So Different

The Make-Ten Strategy

Remember that 8 + 5 problem? Here's what's happening:

Traditional: Memorize that 8 + 5 = 13

Common Core:

• 8 + 5 is hard to visualize
• But 8 + 2 = 10 (easy!)
• Take 2 from the 5, leaving 3
• Now it's 10 + 3 = 13

This seems more complicated, but it builds number sense—understanding how numbers relate to each other. This foundation makes later math (mental math, algebra, fractions) much easier.

Number Bonds

A number bond shows how numbers break apart:

    5
   / \
  2   3

This visualization helps children see that 5 is made of 2 and 3, that 5 - 2 = 3, and that 2 + 3 = 5—all connected.

Multiple Strategies

Where traditional math taught one way to subtract, Common Core students might learn:

• Standard algorithm
• Number line subtraction
• Breaking apart numbers
• Compensation method

The goal isn't to use all methods forever—it's to understand numbers deeply enough to choose the most efficient strategy.

Common Core Methods Explained

Addition: Left-to-Right and Expanded Form

Traditional: 47 + 35, carry the 1

Common Core approach:

• 47 + 35
• (40 + 30) + (7 + 5)
• 70 + 12
• 82

This mirrors how we actually do mental math. Try adding 47 + 35 in your head—you probably start with 40 + 30, not 7 + 5.

Subtraction: Counting Up

Problem: 63 - 27

Traditional: Borrow, subtract

Common Core (counting up):

• Start at 27
• Add 3 to get to 30
• Add 30 to get to 60
• Add 3 to get to 63
• Total added: 3 + 30 + 3 = 36

This method reduces errors and builds understanding of the relationship between addition and subtraction.

Multiplication: Area Models

Problem: 23 × 14

Traditional: Stack and multiply, carry numbers

Area model:

        20       3
    ┌────────┬─────┐
 10 │  200   │  30 │
    ├────────┼─────┤
  4 │   80   │  12 │
    └────────┴─────┘

200 + 30 + 80 + 12 = 322

This visual approach directly connects to algebra (distributing) and makes place value explicit.

Division: Partial Quotients

Problem: 156 ÷ 12

Instead of long division's complex procedure:

• How many 12s can I easily take out? 10 × 12 = 120
• 156 - 120 = 36 remaining
• How many more? 3 × 12 = 36
• Total: 10 + 3 = 13

This builds estimation skills and number sense.

How to Help Without Undermining

Don't Say "That's the Wrong Way"

Even if you find Common Core methods frustrating, dismissing them:

• Confuses your child
• Undermines their teacher
• Creates conflict about math

Ask Your Child to Explain

"Can you teach me how you learned this?"

This reinforces their understanding and shows you value their learning.

Learn the Methods

Many schools provide parent resources. YouTube has countless explanations. Understanding the approach helps you support rather than confuse.

Contact the Teacher

If your child is struggling, ask:

• What resources do you recommend?
• How can I help at home?
• Can you explain this strategy?

If You Show Another Way...

Wait until your child understands the school method first. Then frame alternatives as "another tool in your toolbox"—not as "the right way."

The Research Behind It

Why Understanding Matters

Students who understand math concepts:

• Retain knowledge longer
• Transfer skills to new problems
• Succeed in higher-level math
• Experience less math anxiety

Countries that top international math rankings (Singapore, Japan) use conceptual approaches similar to Common Core.

The Transition Challenge

Common Core faced implementation problems:

• Teachers needed training in new methods
• Parents weren't prepared
• Textbooks varied in quality
• Testing pressure created stress

These are implementation problems, not problems with the underlying approach.

What You Can Do at Home

Emphasize Understanding

Instead of "What's the answer?" ask:

• "How did you figure that out?"
• "Why does that work?"
• "Is there another way to solve it?"

Value Process Over Speed

Timed tests and flashcards have their place, but they shouldn't dominate. Understanding takes longer initially but pays off enormously.

Stay Positive

Your attitude toward math shapes your child's attitude. Even if Common Core frustrates you, try not to pass that frustration along.

Explore Together

Math puzzles, games, and real-world problems don't have to follow any particular curriculum. Building a love of mathematical thinking supports any approach.

The Bottom Line

Common Core math isn't "new"—these methods have been used in high-performing countries for decades. They're designed to build mathematical thinkers, not just calculators.

The goal isn't to memorize that 8 + 5 = 13. It's to understand numbers so deeply that math becomes intuitive.

That's worth a little parental confusion along the way.