a + {[b+c(d+f)+cd]+ef}

One of my sons has always done arithmetic in his head.  Now that we're in the thick of algebraic equations , his accuracy is slumping!   I've explained how I need to be able to see if he has a calculation error or may be missing the concept altogether.   He's been stubborn on the matter because he hates any form of writing.  Yesterday, when faced with the above problem, he had written out every  2nd step, but the answer was wrong.  As it turns out,  he misinterpreted one of the earliest operations in problem solving. 

Later in the day,  I was reading aloud from our science lesson about experimental errors and the need for peer review.   Even scientists, with many more years of education, are required to submit detailed documentation for every step of their experiment, so that it may be reproduced and validated by other scientists. 

I sent my son to the "principal's office last night to chat about the topic of accountability.   Accountability takes all forms in life.  We are ultimately accountable for every choice we make.  What started out as a math lesson, evolved into a science lesson and has now become a character lesson.   I think if I fail to teach him accountability in math,  I am failing to properly mold his character.  Today, he is re-doing the math lesson and writing out every step ....  because I love him!

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Posted by LocalHomeschooler

Very good reasons :-)

For writing out the steps.

I rely on the basic Math is a language, and there are rules to written language [which he well knows from his English and Latin studies...]

But I like your idea too! :-)

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Posted by mauser98

It was a well spoken cogent point you made regarding peer review and accountability. It is an issue I continue to deal with with my own son. Thanks for the reminder of why the things we ask our children to do are for a larger purpose than the math problem facing them!

Jennifer in Ohio

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Posted by Denise

Dh is an engineer, and he has to show pages and pages of work for any calculation. It needs to be neat and clearly written, with each step on a separate line, so that any other engineer can follow exactly what he did and check his numbers and his reasoning. In engineering, a missed step in a calculation can be the difference between a successful building or bridge and a disaster. (Well, it's not usually that dramatic, but it can be.) If he was ever to get sued about something he designed, those step-by-step calculations are his primary defense, proving that he did his work properly.

Of course, your son may not want to be an engineer, but I can testify as a teacher that his life in college--no matter what he decides to study--will be ever so much easier if he makes it a habit to write his steps out neatly so that others can follow his reasoning.

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