My students say funny stuff, too

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I provide enrichment in Math and English to students from preK through 6th grade. Recently, I was helping a kindergartener learn how to do two digit addition. The problem causing a problem was 16 + 7.

Him: Sixteen plus seven is twenty one.

Me: No. Let’s try again.

Him: Seventeen?

Me: I don’t think so.

Him: Twenty?

Me: No. Let’s try it this way. Sixteen is the same as a ten and a six, right?

Him: Yes. I know.

Me: Well, let’s take the ten part away for a minute. What’s six plus seven?

Him: (long pause, lays his head on the desk, sighing) I don’t need to know.

funny things students say

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13 responses to “My students say funny stuff, too”

November 13, 2012

The Letter “B”

Awww. I hope things get better for both of you. 🙂

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1. November 13, 2012
  
  jmlindy422
  
  This week, he got it. It was like a revelation to him. I have so much fun with him, it’s almost criminal.
  
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November 13, 2012

Madame Weebles

Oh, that poor sweetie. I know how he feels.

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1. November 13, 2012
  
  jmlindy422
  
  He got it this week. I’m just thrilled that he understand that the if a number is in the tens place, it represents ten of something!
  
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November 13, 2012

Joan Cleather

Priceless! Having had math anxiety almost forever, I know exactly how he felt.

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1. November 13, 2012
  
  jmlindy422
  
  My math teaching methods professor told us that no one is bad at math, they were just poorly taught. I try not to poorly teach my students. Sets the bar a little more reasonably than trying to be a great teacher.
  
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November 13, 2012

todadwithlove

Haha..incidentally, that was how I was taught Maths too: when the tens got too much for me, I was told to take them apart, and focus on the units. And it worked!

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1. November 13, 2012
  
  jmlindy422
  
  Awesome!
  
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November 13, 2012

scribblechic

“I don’t need to know.” Priceless! The humor and patience within this simple exchange highlights your natural gifts as a teacher. Kudos to the pupil and his teacher!

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1. November 13, 2012
  
  jmlindy422
  
  Well, thank you! That’s a nice thing to hear on a Tuesday.
  
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November 13, 2012

The Waiting

I wish I had had you as a math teacher. My response was basically the same as his!

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1. November 13, 2012
  
  jmlindy422
  
  The irony here is that I’m not all that good at math. You should see me trying to teach my 5th graders. They know more than me! My son, who loves math, thinks it’s hilarious.
  
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November 13, 2012

mauriceabarry

Yep–some times it’s…time! :>)

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