I've seen a lot of things that end up as punching bags or punchlines based on rumors or funny pictures, and common core math is one that I've seen hit harder than most. At least two people I know on Facebook (neither of whom works in education) posted a picture of a panicked looking cat with the caption "Common Core Math: IF YOU HAVE 4 PENCILS AND 7 APPLES, HOW MANY PANCAKES WILL FIT ON THE ROOF? PURPLE. BECAUSE ALIENS DON'T WEAR HATS." Actually seeing some of these problems, I can confirm that they are more complex than ones I remember from elementary school, but that they do make sense. NPR has posted an excellent summary of some expert opinion on Common Core Math. i'll admit that I have concerns about testing students on computers and other aspects of the tests reviewed in the article, but if you've heard only second hand reports of wacky pancake-based problems, go ahead and give it a read and look at a few actual problems. I'm happy to see some application and complex reasoning working their way into these early problems.