While presenting in Stoughton, one of the teachers mentioned that last week at a math conference they talked about "the standard algorithm" noted in the CCSS is not what is perceived as the traditional algorithm.
I am struggling with this interpretation in that the language specifically used by the CCSS (which they were VERY careful with their language) states "the" which means one and standard which would imply it is used by everyone. The WI DPI states that "the best clarification is 'efficient'. The point is that students understand number and place value, not just digit manipulation." While I agree 100% that the point is to understand the concept not just manipulate a procedure, it seems to arbitrary and hopeful that the traditional algorithm is not the standard algorithm.
Personally, I am a much larger fan of partial sums and partial products. However, those are by no means "standard." That said, I would encourage teachers to teach both methods. Students need to understand concepts and the method they most understand a concept through will not be consistent with all students. Differentiation is the key.
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