Mommy doesn't get new math!

I am glad Ian "gets" his math homework because I would be seriously perplexed and at a loss for words as to how they want him to solve problems. His district uses the Everyday Math program and I'm just wondering how on earth these people at the University of Chicago think this is easy!

Anyhow, Ian has now entered the unchartered territory of double and triple digit multiplication. He's not having any problem with it and dare I say, I think he might actually enjoy it (further proving that I was just the pod and he got none of my genes). Now, any of you who are around my age certainly can recall the way you were taught. This morning, Ian asked me which method of multiplication I preferred: the partial products method or the lattice method. ?HUH?!!! Neither really resemble how I learned to multiply. So, my answer for my preferred "method" is simple - the calculator!

I am glad I am not the only one!

In a scene reminiscent of one of my worst childhood memories, Ian came home with the dreaded "story problem" math homework last night. What was worse about this homework was that he had the "numbers" but he had to create the story problem to go with it.

I have never liked math. In fact, even though I preferred science when I was in high school, I didn't pursue it in college because I knew it would require taking at least 2 semesters of calculus and I thought, "Why subject myself to that misery when I can major in French and travel to Europe?" Alas, I have hit another tangent . . . back to the story.

Ian is very gifted when it comes to math but this exercise through him for a loop. What's worse is that I don't "get" how they are teaching math in schools these days. Words that I remember being taught are no longer part of the vocabulary and there are so many diagrams and charts to fill in, it does get confusing. Shouldn't the creators of this curriculum remember who is going to be helping their children at home with it?

So, after a very painful 60 minutes, Ian did manage to "complete" his story problem homework. Hopefully (though I know I am probably wrong), there won't be any more for a while. My poor brain is beat!

Ian is a math magician

After Ian got home from school today, we went through our normal routine of going over his homework for the day. They are getting ready to start a new math unit and so the teacher sends home a "Family Letter" to explain what they will be learning (actually, I think it is to secretly remind parents that we need to "brush up" on our own skills so that we can help with homework). The next unit is going to be multiplication and division.

Now, Ian is extremely talented in math. He just "gets" it (and he certainly doesn't get that talent from me). So, at dinner I said, "so you are going to be doing multiplication and division - sounds like it's going to be tough." In his best exasperated voice he tells me, "Mommy, I already KNOW how to multiply and divide. I'm a math magician!" I honestly think he was trying to say "mathmatician", but it came out so cute!

And now if you will excuse me, I am going to go practice how to multiply and divide (without a calculator).