So, here’s a thing that happened.
Isabella brought home a 2/10 on a math test.
I was surprised.
She was surprised.
We were all surprised.
“I really thought I knew how to do long division, Mama,” she cried. “I really did.”
And so did I. She was doing pretty well in math. She was an A student. And I might not be a math genius but even I know that a 2 out of 10 is a 20%, which is not even a passing mark, not even close.
But apparently, these things happen. Skills get missed. Long division gets overlooked and then we find ourselves sitting at the kitchen table wondering how it is that our 5th grader doesn’t know how to divide.
Her dad sat with her and tried to teach her and he yelled and she yelled and he got frustrated and she got frustrated and they each threw up their arms, exasperated.
I sat with her and tried to teach her and I cried and she cried and I got stressed and she got stressed and we threw up our arms, exasperated.
It was very clear that we were not going to be able to help our daughter with long division. She just does not get it, no matter how many times and way we try.
So, we had her open up her Mathletics.
We thought maybe something else could help her.
And much like Maria Von Trapp, we started at the very beginning, because, obviously it’s a very good place to start. With multiplication tables. And multiplication facts and grids and properties and fact families. Then she moved on to multiplying by 100, 1000, and 3 single-digit numbers. And then we slowly moved into division.
She felt comfortable, she moved at her own pace, and the best thing is that she didn’t yell, scream, cry, or get frustrated.
And now my girl can do long division.
No thanks to her dad. Or to me. It was all Mathletics.
So, as you can tell, I’m a little impressed (and jealous) with Mathletics these days. For this reason, all of my nieces and nephews are getting the gift of Mathletics this holiday season. You’re welcome, sisters and brothers and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. If you are looking for great holiday gifts too, I highly recommend. It’s affordable — click here to get 20% off a year home subscription — and it will keep the yelling and screaming out of math.
Looking for some more great gift ideas for your favorite people this holiday?
Behold, this is my list of things I not-so-secretly covet right now, so obviously, I highly recommend them to you and your loved ones.
1. Airport Greeting Cardigan, $54.99, Modcloth.com
2. Splendid Cities: Color Your Way To Calm, $15, Indigo.ca
3. NPR logo kid’s tee, $20, NPR.org
4. Minimalist Stadium Series poster, Lambeau Field,$42.18, Etsy
5. Richie and Margot kokeshi doll mug, $22, Etsy
6. Polaroid Zip Mobile Photo Printer, $145, Urban Outfitters
7. Old World Continent Map Canvas, $132, zazzle.ca
8. Grand Quilted Strap Metro Watch, $195, Kate Spade
9. Mathletics Holiday Special, $99/year + 20% off!, Mathletics.ca
10. Pandemic, $39.95, Indigo.ca
11. Vintage 1960s Glasses, $217.91, Etsy
12. Rainbow Ripple Blanket, $99.95, O.B. Designs
13. The Wire t-shirt, $25.84, Redbubble
14. Mama bird necklace (up to 8 kids), $40.77, Etsy
{As part of my partnership with Mathletics, I was compensated for this post. But all opinions, thoughts, words, and attempts at humor are my own, as always.}
3