Sabrina Sumsion

It's hard not to be proud when a child does something well. 

I have struggled to slowly move Spencer back into a natural learning rhythm after completely disintegrating in the traditional school environment.  We discussed multiplication several times and today I decided to see what he thought of division. 

I spent 5 minutes explaining that division was opposite of multiplication like subtraction is opposite of addition.  I showed him how in addition the first two numbers make a bigger number.  For example, 2 + 2 (first two numbers) make 4 (the bigger number).  In subtraction the answer is smaller than the first number.  For example, 4 (the biggest number) - 2 = 2 (the smaller numbers). 

Then I asked him what happens to the numbers in multiplication.  Do the numbers make a bigger number or a smaller number?  He answered quickly that they make a bigger number.  2 x 2 (the smaller numbers) = 4 (the larger number).  Then I asked what happens if division is the opposite of multiplication.  He answered right away that the number gets smaller.  Yea!  Small victory for mom.

We pulled out the division flash cards and practiced.  He didn't get every single one right but he has a solid introduction to division and understand the concept.  The true test is whether he still remembers tomorrow.

Stay tuned . . .

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