13 Common Core Assignments That'll Leave You Scratching Your Head

It's impossible to step into a PTA or school board meeting without discussing Common Core. The much-talked-about program — which emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills — has had parents across the country in an uproar for the past few years. Since when does it require a mathematician degree to help your first grader with her homework?

While the majority of parents' concerns revolve around the testing methods used to measure students' success, it's the usually insanely detailed homework kids must complete that drives parents insane. Gone are the days of simple word problems and showing your work with numbers. Now, kids must decode confusingly phrased equations and use number lines, blank circles, and "hidden partners" to solve them. Sounds complicated? That's because it is. Here, a series of Common Core assignments that have reduced children — and their parents — to tears.

Additional reporting by Alessandra Foresto

01

A Complete Breakdown

We don't know what's happening here, but at least the child got the correct answer.

02

All of the Lines

Is this a road map or a math assignment?

03

Circle, Circle, Dot, Dot

Since when does basic arithmetic involve so many shapes?

04

From the Abacus to Sticks

Sticks and stones may break our bones, but Common Core hurts our heads!

05
Why Kids Hate Vegetables
POPSUGAR Photography | Rebecca Gruber

Why Kids Hate Vegetables

Try getting your kid to eat a carrot after this problem.

06

Where the Arrow Points

We keep following the arrows and getting nowhere with this one.

08

Dad Doesn't Get It

This dad couldn't help because he had no idea what the question was. Same, dad, same.

09

Big Square + Little Square = ?

If little square equals large square . . . wait, we're lost already.

10

Math or English Homework?

Why does Common Core make you explain everything in writing?

11

The Number Branch

Who knew math grew on trees?

12

The Best Answer

This kid won't let Common Core get her down.

13

The Engineer That Couldn't

Even Jeff Severt, an electronics engineer, couldn't help his son with this complicated math problem, so we should all just give up.