4/24/2013

ACK! I can't do my first grader's homework!




In retrospect, kindergarten was a breeze.

For me, I mean.

Zachary didn't start to have regular homework until the last couple months of the school year, and even then it was easy stuff, like word lists and addition and subtraction problems.

But then, first grade happened.

At first when he started bringing regular homework home to complete, I was all cocky and like "Oh, I got this.  It's a piece of cake."  By the way, this is called foreshadowing for you literary types out there. 

As the year has progressed, however, I am learning that maybe I let my arrogance rear it's arrogant big head just a BIT early.

Oh, I can understand his reading homework, and his spelling words... I get that just fine, even though they seem a little advanced for first grade.

But the math?

Uh, not so much.

I was never GREAT at math in school, but I - as a serious Type A overachiever - took it seriously and studied hard and after all, it was pretty straightforward so I made it work.

I'm going to blame my age.  I'm going to blame my upbringing.  I'm going to blame my education.  I'm going to blame everything and everyone that I can think of in order to absolutely, positively NOT own the fact that I am struggling with my first grader's math homework.

And it's not that I'm dumb.  I mean, I did manage to pass AP Calculus in high school.  And I get the basics.  I  can add, subtract, multiply and divide like nobody's business.

But there's something I don't do well at all, and that's anything that's vague.  And this new (to me) math business?  It's nothing but vague.

I could totally handle a couple dozen pages of addition and subtraction worksheets, but OHMYGOD IT'S ALL WORD PROBLEMS ALL THE TIME AND THEY SKIP AROUND SO ONE DAY IT'S FRACTIONS AND ANOTHER DAY IT'S GEOMETRY AND I HAVE TO GOOGLE "WHAT IS A TRAPEZOID?" AND THE NEXT DAY IT'S SOME SORT OF PIE THING THAT YOU HAVE TO CUT APART AND PUT BACK TOGETHER SO THE NUMBERS "SEQUENCE" PROPERLY AND AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Ahem.

So yeah.

It may not be my strong suit.

Zachary (who will be hereinafter known as "THE BRAT") loves it when he has to explain his homework to me.  He will say (all smug-like) "Don't worry about helping me with my math, Mama.  I know it's hard for you.  But don't worry, I can do it without your help."

Brat.

Meanwhile, my mind is usually spinning while trying to figure out why he has three pages of homework that is covered in dominos and dice.  Is this first grade math or Vegas 101?

The next 11 years are going to be long ones, I'm afraid.

post signature

4 comments:

  1. lol lol LOL
    So it begins!!
    Mine do something called "think math" I can't think....
    I always ALWAYS say "save your math for when dad get's home"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know what "think math" is, and I'm pretty sure I hope I never find out.

      Delete
  2. my son is in 1st grade, too. and his spelling words are insane! applaud is one of his words this week--really? he's 7

    and he doesn't ask for help with his math, i suppose he knows i failed Algebra in college

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This week we have the words wonderful and quickly, among others. Last week? Flashlight and brainstorm. Seriously?!?!? I'm going to have to hire myself a tutor by the time he's in third grade.

      Delete

Pin It button on image hover