"The pet store had 9 corn snakes. 7 of the snakes laid 8 eggs each. 5 of the eggs didn't hatch. How many snakes does the pet store have now?"
a.k.a = 7 x 8 - 5 + 9
It's order of operations, and it's taking the word problems to a new level of mom intolerance. Why word problems? Why, why, why? (insert insufferable 2-yr old voice). It's not that I don't think word problems are important - but when you are just learning a concept there are too many balls up in the air to get said concept through to kid with focus issues.
Read problem once. Allison looks away from the page - then back - then back to the problem - and "oh wait, what was the number that I needed.... oh, there it is," look up to think about what to do with the number, forget the number, look back to the problem "wait, there is a 7 and 8 - am I adding them..... I need to read again," Add subtract, multiply, divide? I'm multiplying, look up at the fireplace - hey -my reflection! - wait, math, what? Oh yeah, I was multiplying - multiplying what? The 8 and the 5 - no wait, that's not right. Read again, problem 3 - no which problem? Ten minutes later - frustration level (mine) near ceiling.
Mom: Allison, 7 snakes lay 8 eggs - what's 7 x 8? "56"
Mom: Five did not hatch - what's 56-5? "51"
Mom: You started with 9 - so how many do you have now? "60!"
I get that she has a weakness in this area and therefore practice can only help. But really?! You're killing me Everyday Math Book!
1 comment:
That is a very complicated problem. Hard to believe it's 3rd grade math. I'll bet most of the kids in her class have trouble with these problems, focus issues or not.
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