When it comes to certain math problems, I always take over the tutoring for my mom. Mostly, parts of Geometry, parts of Algebra I, and all of math that's taught after those.
Student tonight is studying for a math test in Geometry. First of all, he's studying the whole chapter in one night, after running for track. He's tired. He needs to come for two nights to study a chapter--which my mom told him before.
But he's here for one.
There's one lesson that he just doesn't get. Can't remember the equations for special triangles. I have spent over an hour working on them with him.
He went to pull out his calculator for 7 * 2.
I snagged it out of his hand.
Went to grab it for 2 * 20.
Again, I took it, and this time I kept it.
So I'm watching him labor over really, really basic multiplication and division problems and finally I ask, "Do you now your multiplication factors, STUDENT'S NAME?"
STUDENT'S NAME: "Nah. They started to teach them to us in 3rd grade, but when we got to the 5s they said, 'we're going to do more advanced math and give you calculators now'. I don't remember the ones we were taught anyway."
Me: "*STARES IN HORROR*"
STUDENT'S NAME: "I kinda think I should learn them, at least before college."
Me: "I...yes. Yes, you should. In fact, the next time you come, which will be as soon as possible after the test tomorrow? We're going to start working on them, and keep working on them until you have MEMORIZED all factors for 1-12."
STUDENT'S NAME: "ALL IN ONE NIGHT?! *horrified*"
Me: "No. No, I think we'll split it up a bit. *goes to find her mother* Uh, Mom? Did you know STUDENTS NAME doesn't know his multiplication factors?"
Mom: "*almost chokes on absolutely nothing* You're kidding."
Me: "Not so much. *relays story, so her mother can join her in hating the public school system* I'm thinking the next thing that needs to be done is for him to learn them."
Mom: "You're thinking right."
Just. I am so angry on his behalf right now. This work that's taken 90 minutes would have taken...at least no more than an hour, maybe less time, even, if he new basic math skills.
And he doesn't. Because they want him to rely on his calculator instead of actually teaching him the things he should know.
I am so angry.
And I still won't let him use his calculator when I'm working with him. When he takes the time to think, he pretty much does come up with the right answer. But watching him do it is kinda painful, because you can see that he's dredging something up, or a process of thinking up, that he hasn't had to use in forever.
Painful, but good for him. Which is why my mother, in another room, is holding his calculator. (I am making him finally work three problems of the type he's having issues with on his own, and if I sit in the same room with him, he won't put energy into actually working them. He'll flail and say he doesn't know or is too tired. Funny enough, when I refuse to accept that answer, he suddenly has enough energy to eventually work it out.)
I suspect he's trying to play me. But hey, I get paid for all the time he's here. It's his free time that's being eaten up without pay, not mine.
Student tonight is studying for a math test in Geometry. First of all, he's studying the whole chapter in one night, after running for track. He's tired. He needs to come for two nights to study a chapter--which my mom told him before.
But he's here for one.
There's one lesson that he just doesn't get. Can't remember the equations for special triangles. I have spent over an hour working on them with him.
He went to pull out his calculator for 7 * 2.
I snagged it out of his hand.
Went to grab it for 2 * 20.
Again, I took it, and this time I kept it.
So I'm watching him labor over really, really basic multiplication and division problems and finally I ask, "Do you now your multiplication factors, STUDENT'S NAME?"
STUDENT'S NAME: "Nah. They started to teach them to us in 3rd grade, but when we got to the 5s they said, 'we're going to do more advanced math and give you calculators now'. I don't remember the ones we were taught anyway."
Me: "*STARES IN HORROR*"
STUDENT'S NAME: "I kinda think I should learn them, at least before college."
Me: "I...yes. Yes, you should. In fact, the next time you come, which will be as soon as possible after the test tomorrow? We're going to start working on them, and keep working on them until you have MEMORIZED all factors for 1-12."
STUDENT'S NAME: "ALL IN ONE NIGHT?! *horrified*"
Me: "No. No, I think we'll split it up a bit. *goes to find her mother* Uh, Mom? Did you know STUDENTS NAME doesn't know his multiplication factors?"
Mom: "*almost chokes on absolutely nothing* You're kidding."
Me: "Not so much. *relays story, so her mother can join her in hating the public school system* I'm thinking the next thing that needs to be done is for him to learn them."
Mom: "You're thinking right."
Just. I am so angry on his behalf right now. This work that's taken 90 minutes would have taken...at least no more than an hour, maybe less time, even, if he new basic math skills.
And he doesn't. Because they want him to rely on his calculator instead of actually teaching him the things he should know.
I am so angry.
And I still won't let him use his calculator when I'm working with him. When he takes the time to think, he pretty much does come up with the right answer. But watching him do it is kinda painful, because you can see that he's dredging something up, or a process of thinking up, that he hasn't had to use in forever.
Painful, but good for him. Which is why my mother, in another room, is holding his calculator. (I am making him finally work three problems of the type he's having issues with on his own, and if I sit in the same room with him, he won't put energy into actually working them. He'll flail and say he doesn't know or is too tired. Funny enough, when I refuse to accept that answer, he suddenly has enough energy to eventually work it out.)
I suspect he's trying to play me. But hey, I get paid for all the time he's here. It's his free time that's being eaten up without pay, not mine.
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