If you looked at the floor at the end of our kitchen table, you would see odd brownish/grey fragments scattered about the floor. If you could have observed us the past few nights you would realize that this is where algebra homework has been done, and redone, and redone, until exasperation hit. (I guess you would also realize I forgot to dust mop the floor for a few days).
At first when I was asked in a very pleading and desperate voice "Mom, can you help me?" I truly didn't think I had it in me. I mean it has been over 30 years (dang I'm old) since I had been in a math class. I pulled up a chair and side-by-side we began tackling the problems together. At first I added my own erasure bits to our floor, but soon a little light bulb when on. I remembered how to do it! Sure I had no idea what she was talking about when she said "slope interecept blah, blah, blah", but I actually solved a problem together with her. Better yet, the light bulb passed on to the daughter. She eventually completed all 30 problems and understoood most of it.
My other children were also duly impressed by mom. My son says "so how far in math did you go in high school?" I shared that I had done trigonometry and pre-calculus - without calculators (they cost over $100 then). He walked away with a look of dismay. I only pray when they reach these math pinnacles they will be able to understand it on their own.
Oh and the postscript....when my conquering daughter turned in her homework, the teacher told the class she would give full credit if you were only able to complete three problems. Okay that was a little defeating.
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