Reply to Is this problem too hard for a second grader?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Yes.  Standard second grade curriculum.

It's early in the year.  They're working on the concepts.  It's about understanding what "division" means in real life.  So it's more than just a mechanical function.  The goal is for kids to experience division -- not just learn the rote rules.

More generally, it's ok that homework is hard sometimes.  As a parent, our job is to teach our kids that it's ok to struggle with learning.  It's ok to be confused.  It's ok to have to think about things in different ways and keep coming back to it until we figure out how to do it.  It doesn't mean we're dumb or that the work is too hard.  Sometimes learning comes easily and sometimes it take more time.  Both are ok.  It's how we grow.

I'd worry less about whether she got the "right" answer and focus on encouraging her CURIOUSITY, her PERSISTENCE (not give up when things get hard) and her RESILIENCE (not letting it upset or get to her when things are difficult.)  That's learning.  Sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's hard.  Either way, her brain is GROWING and getting STRONGER, and that's awesome.

Maybe think of an example in your own life when it took you awhile to learn something.  Where you had to put in a lot of time and effort before something clicked for you.  For me, it was weekly spelling words (never came easy) and later in law school (certain classes took months to click before they came together for me).  But you're proud that you STUCK WITH IT and DIDN'T GIVE UP.  That effort and mindset made you even smarter!!!
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OP here - Let me be clear - this was NOT homework.  This was done in class, with no assistance (30 kids in class), and she did not finish it, so it was sent home for her to finish.

I disagree with you that it is OK to struggle - if a child is asked to do a problem and doesn't have the tools to do it, it only leads to frustration.  My DD did not feel good about getting the right answers.  She said it was hard, and by hard she meant tedious and boring.  She now hates math.  So she isn't getting any pride from this at all.  [/quote]

Learning only occurs when a child struggles between current understanding and acquiring new knowledge. It is what Vygitsky called "The zone of proximal development."[/quote]

OP, you're really missing the point here.  Your daughter is 8.  Focus on helping her develop a positive attitude about school, classwork and learning more generally.

Learning will not always be easy.  Classwork will not always be interesting.  She will not always be given the tools she needs.  Sometimes she will struggle.  Sometimes she will be bored.  This is all part of learning.

As a parent, focus less on the right answer and more on the right attitude.  Help her to do the same.

As a parent, spend less time blaming the teacher for not teaching properly and spend more time helping your daughter be resourceful.

In our house, "I don't know, but let's figure it out!" is our go-to phrase.  No excuses or complaints.  We figure it out and get it done.

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