So far, my DS7 (first grade) has not been asked to write his math explanations. But our school is transitioning to common core, so I see it coming. One question I have is - are kids allowed to use the language of math to explain their process? For instance, these days if my son is asked to explain how he knew that 23+31 = 54, he will say, "20+30= 50 and 3+1=4, and 50+4=54. Would he get credit for that?

I'm just borrowing trouble from the future. But wondering ...