The kid’s real problem is that of all the mathematical operations, fractions are the one’s most poorly presented. I used to have to basically throw out the book when it came to fractions but when I did, the kid’s understood what was happening.
Math sequencing can be a problem if a kid transfers from one school to another. Say that School A teaches fractions and inch-pound-quart measurements (which use fractions) in 4th grade and does decimals plus metre-kilogram-litre measurements (which use decimals) in 5th grade. Meanwhile, School B does it in the opposite order. A 4th grader from School A transfers to School B and becomes a cracker-jack at fractions but never does pick up decimals.
In the 1950s, how to multiply and divide fractions was made very clear. Adding and subtracting is a bit harder, because you need to find the least common denominator.
And the least common denominator is a stupid way to add or subtract fractions. It doesn’t have to be ‘least’, any common denominator will work. Then, when you get to the answer, just use prime factorization to reduce it. Easy-peasy.
Woody Allen and a whole slew of other sages said that 80 percent of life is showing up. That works for me, give or take a basis point. Where it gets interesting is in what he meant by showing up. I draw a comic strip from my home. I haven’t had to show up at anybody’s office to do my job in nearly two decades. This generally divides the curious into two camps.
Camp 1: “I don’t know how you can possibly do that.”Camp 2: “What do you do all day?”
Working from home, for yourself, with no substitutes and no safety net and an audience that expects daily output, is … wonderful. And terribly intimidating, and, I dare say, kind of hard. Sometimes I don’t know how I’m going to pull it off. Other times, I’m not really sure what I did to make it work. Eventually I figure it out as much as it’s going to be figured out, and the answer is the same: I showed up.
So even though, like probably everyone, I’ve been guilty of thinking that getting a college degree online is somehow cheating a little bit, I know now that it’s just a different mode. And like living on, or commuting to, the traditional campus, you either show up or you don’t.
mddshubby2005 over 4 years ago
Let’s see how well that MBA taught her to divide her work/life balance.
Nachikethass over 4 years ago
Don’t spit on all of online education, Jef! There are quite a few good ones.
Kind&Kinder over 4 years ago
Maybe they can solve the fraction problems by e-mail or chat?
sandpiper over 4 years ago
Looks like Mom’s gonna get more screen time
asrialfeeple over 4 years ago
Maybe that’ll teach her to divide and conquer.
karl67208 over 4 years ago
Did you ever think that mom’s course was all homework?
pcmcdonald over 4 years ago
Doesn’t add up.
Ignatz Premium Member over 4 years ago
Mom is an adult, and therefore can be in charge of her own work.
Same reason college students are allowed to cut class.
waltermatera over 4 years ago
The kid’s real problem is that of all the mathematical operations, fractions are the one’s most poorly presented. I used to have to basically throw out the book when it came to fractions but when I did, the kid’s understood what was happening.
garcoa over 4 years ago
I heard that four thirds of all people have trouble with fractions.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 4 years ago
Math sequencing can be a problem if a kid transfers from one school to another. Say that School A teaches fractions and inch-pound-quart measurements (which use fractions) in 4th grade and does decimals plus metre-kilogram-litre measurements (which use decimals) in 5th grade. Meanwhile, School B does it in the opposite order. A 4th grader from School A transfers to School B and becomes a cracker-jack at fractions but never does pick up decimals.
rlaker22j over 4 years ago
understanding mathematics is much easier with visuals
scaeva Premium Member over 4 years ago
Your mom has an MBA? Don’t ask her for help, you’ll regret it.
Concretionist over 4 years ago
In the 1950s, how to multiply and divide fractions was made very clear. Adding and subtracting is a bit harder, because you need to find the least common denominator.
waltermatera over 4 years ago
And the least common denominator is a stupid way to add or subtract fractions. It doesn’t have to be ‘least’, any common denominator will work. Then, when you get to the answer, just use prime factorization to reduce it. Easy-peasy.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 4 years ago
Blog PostsFrazz17 hrs ·
Woody Allen and a whole slew of other sages said that 80 percent of life is showing up. That works for me, give or take a basis point. Where it gets interesting is in what he meant by showing up. I draw a comic strip from my home. I haven’t had to show up at anybody’s office to do my job in nearly two decades. This generally divides the curious into two camps.
Camp 1: “I don’t know how you can possibly do that.”Camp 2: “What do you do all day?”
Working from home, for yourself, with no substitutes and no safety net and an audience that expects daily output, is … wonderful. And terribly intimidating, and, I dare say, kind of hard. Sometimes I don’t know how I’m going to pull it off. Other times, I’m not really sure what I did to make it work. Eventually I figure it out as much as it’s going to be figured out, and the answer is the same: I showed up.
So even though, like probably everyone, I’ve been guilty of thinking that getting a college degree online is somehow cheating a little bit, I know now that it’s just a different mode. And like living on, or commuting to, the traditional campus, you either show up or you don’t.