Oh, the struggle! No matter your accomplishments, nothing quite compares to the challenge of a sixth-grade math worksheet. Surely we learned this material at some point, right? Perhaps it was safely tucked away in my brain, only to be pushed aside by my vivid memories of every episode of The Office.
I truly admire my son’s enthusiasm for math; he seems to have a knack for it. I attribute this to both how he’s being taught and who’s doing the teaching. If only I had the same kind of supportive instructor he has (shoutout to Mr. Johnson). I can’t help but think I’d still remember the distributive property if I had been taught by someone more encouraging than the strict Mrs. Smith, who wielded her ruler like a weapon whenever I faltered.
Here are a few beliefs I hold dear: First, no one should ever say, “You won’t need this in real life” in earshot of a child. Also, to spark greater interest in math and science, let’s replace singing competitions on TV with math and science contests. It’s not hard to see that after 14 seasons of American Idol, a fair number of Americans can sing, especially when you factor in that the music industry is struggling.
The math below isn’t too complicated … once you stop fearing it or figure out what x or y represents. My colleague, Sarah, managed to solve it in just 20 minutes—she’s a genius in my eyes and I’d definitely choose her as my partner for company team-building events. After a long day, though, when you’re famished and just want to unwind with some news, you may secretly wish your child could handle it all themselves. If they can’t, like me, you might consider reaching out to Mr. Johnson for some extra help in brushing up on your math skills.
While many parents might glance at their child’s homework and think, “Good luck with that,” it’s sometimes worth revisiting the basics ourselves. Challenge yourself with my son’s homework below. If you find it difficult, it might be time to think about a tutor. I promise not to use any rulers!
Definition: The Distributive Property is …
When would you use the distributive property?
- a. 5 (x-8)=15
- b. 12 + 3 (n+2) = 27
- c. -4(x+3) = 8
- d. 1/2(x-14) = 3
- e. 4+2 (1 + x) = 12
Answers:
- a. x=11
- b. n=3
- c. x= -5
- d. x=20
- e. x=3
This article was originally published on Feb. 19, 2015.
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In summary, sixth-grade math can be a humbling experience for parents, but it’s important to engage with our kids’ education. Embracing a positive attitude toward math can create a supportive environment where children thrive.