OK, I guess I will put this thought/question out there, even though I'll probably get some spirited comments one way or another.
Why do children have to learn math fact families????? I don't ever remember learning math fact families, and I went pretty far in math in school. I like math, and I enjoy teaching it, but what's with this fact family stuff. I didn't go over it a whole lot with Sarah, we would talk about it a bit, nothing big, and she's doing fine. Any problems she might have with math, doesn't include fact families. It seems like another rule Paulie is going to have to try to learn, and learning different rules is not his strong point. I mean, if the boy knows how to add and subtract, does it really matter if he knows his fact families? Does it really matter if he can recite his fact families, or even his addition facts quickly? Isn't it enough that he knows how to add and subtract, even if it takes him a second or two to figure out the problem? Why did they start this? I'm not being sarcastic, I truly want to know why they started that. As I've begun teaching my children at home, I'm realizing how much extra 'stuff' they (whoever they are) add to learning things. I mean, when I was in school, I learned the basics. It wasn't fancy, glitzy or 'new', it was the basics, and the basics have gotten me quite far. I was working in the computer department of the company I worked for, so the basics I learned in math must have been good. I know I sound like I'm ranting, and maybe I am. And I might offend some who think all this, what seems to me as 'extra' stuff, is worth it, I just don't see the necessity for it.
But, with the chance of getting some intense comments, I would like to know your thoughts and opinions on this. Just wondering when and why they started this, and how knowing fact families is suppose to help, beyond maybe it will help them get through an addition problem a second or two faster. But I guess I'll stop there. If I keep going I might offend someone with my thoughts on sentence diagramming.
Well, after my last entry I knew I needed to calm down a little bit, and do something different. So we got our shoes on and took off to the park. The kids and I had a great time. I really do like to swing, so whenever we go to the park I try to take time to swing, which I did. Plus the kids had a great time running around and playing. I've got some pictures to share of the kids playing.
This is new park equipment. I know it's not much, but it's pretty big for this small town.
Then as we were heading home I decided to go to the library. So we turned around and took some time browsing our library and getting some books.
I'm still tired and a little anxious feeling, but I am more relaxed. Sometimes we just need to let go of what we are 'suppose' to do and just get out and do things that aren't on our 'suppose to do' list. I need to remember that more often. I get a little to stressed and anxious about my responsibilities and what people think I'm 'suppose' to do. I let it weigh me down to much. Not always being able to relax because things won't get done 'right'. So I'm going to try to keep giving it to the Lord, and at least for a bit today, I got out and didn't care about what 'needed' or what was 'suppose' to get done, and just had fun.
I don't know what my schedule will be this weekend so I don't know how much I'll be on. In case I'm not on much, I hope everyone has a blessed weekend.
I am a little upset right now, so I am going to keep this short so I don't say something I shouldn't. What do you do about sloppy school work? I have talked and talked to my children about it, and I know if they slow down their writing is very neat and legible, but they won't slow down. So I need some consequences for that, but what consequences? I know some say they should repeat their work, but what if it's worksheet things that have already been filled out, how do they repeat that? I know I need a consequence and I know I need to enforce it, but I just don't know what that should be. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I am a wife and mother of two. I started this blog to share the things the Lord shows me in my journey as a wife, mother, homeschool mom and His daughter. And in it all to "grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
II Peter 3:18
