The Math

Big T's parent/teacher conference went well. Overall, he's doing fine. Just needs to work on his neatness, just like his dad. We saw a little bit of the math that he's doing now and here's a sample problem for the first grade now: 7+X=16, solve for X. Seriously, he's doing algebra. In the first grade. He's solving these problems by creating seven hash marks on one line, and then on the second line, making as many as he needs to to make it to 16, then counting the hashes on the second line. His answers are correct, but his methodology is apparently wrong. They want him instead, to subtract 7 from 16 to arrive at his answer. The idea being that this will help him realize that there are 'Number Families' that are able to live in harmony with one another in addition and subtraction problems. Which he actually does know, because we saw another test where he's given three numbers and has to create two addition and two subtraction problems from them. So, given 2, 8, 10 he figured out the four problems correctly. Also fun for the first graders is the new math standard that they have to know by May. They are two timed tests, one addition and one subtraction. They are sixty questions each, all with answers at 20 or less, and they get three minutes to do each test. So three minutes for sixty addition problems and three minutes for sixty subtraction problems. Needless to say, he didn't complete the test, but the more interesting thing to me is how he takes the test, he doesn't start up at number one and work his way through, he just seems to pick out questions at random and answer them. I guess we'll have to work on that.

On another note, Little E had her 'Holiday' party yesterday, there were five menorah's in her classroom and only one Christmas Tree. I don't get it. But the class did get to meet Santa and she told him that she wants a Barbie house. I was just happy she didn't freak out with Santa, because she hasn't wanted to approach him at the malls. But I guess it's safer with her parents and her trusted pre-school teacher there.

I'll end on a joke I overheard at her 3-year-old preschool class while they were enjoying their party. It's a 'Ding-Dong' joke, I guess because people don't knock on doors anymore because of the doorbells.

Boy 1: Ding-Dong.
Boy 2: Who's There?
Boy 1: Banana.
Boy 2: Banana who?
Boy 1: Banana cracker!!!
Boys 1 and 2: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

I didn't get it, but apparently, it was hilarious.