Low Traction Subtraction

Subtraction using Everyday MathThis is what a solved subtraction problem looks like using the technique my second grader is learning.

At first she was drawing all sixty squares. I talked her into drawing tens as long rectangles.

A page of homework is 20 problems. Each problem takes 3-5 minutes. She also has writing and reading.

To fight the tedium, we used legos one day and a whiteboard another.

But the teacher likes to see the written squares to confirm the kids understand. So while making things physical makes it more fun it only adds time.

I know she’s drifting when she starts climbing the table or erases mistakes until the paper rips.

Any constructive advice?

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About Ken Judy

I am an executive leader, software developer, father and husband trying to do more good than harm. I am an agile practitioner. I say this fully aware I say nothing. Sold as a tool to solve problems, agile is more a set of principles that encourage us to confront problems. Broad adoption of the jargon has not resulted in wide embrace of these principles. I strive to create material and human good by respecting co-workers, telling truth to employers, improving my skills, and caring for the people affected by the software I help build.