I have had 3 massive battles with 3 sets of Arithmetic teachers, over my 3 Daughters counting

They were all taught - what the method was at that time - all different btw

My kids were lost, so each time I showed them how to Add, divide & multiply

The way I count, - the Old Fogeys way

I was useless at my times tables, why bother learning 'by rote' all these multiplications, when a few well remembered ones, let you work out the others

I showed them how to do long division the Old way as well

I taught them to change the sum or the figures to the easiest way for them to get the answer.

All the above while constantly fighting the teachers and headmasters over, not doing it the schools way

They all scored well, especially the Youngest who got 98% in a 6th year studies exam, while She was in 3rd year.

My eldest has since ran a large store in town, including doing all the Books

My middle Daughter has worked with figures all her working life and now manages a large transport companies office, including wages, Taxes, bonuses and billing

The Maths genius, took up Corporate law, so doesn't really use her skills

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Common Core Maths (& CC English) in the US, seem more aimed at getting standardised answers, hence cheaper Marking in set Exams for the US education system, than actually helping Kids with the numericy skills they need in Life.

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As Billy Connolly said to His teacher - when asked 2b x 3c = ?  

  "but Sir we haven't learned the b times table yet