Did you know that learning algebra requires an attention span and a certain level of tolerance for frustration?
RB is very behind in school, because not only did he never learn the basics (missed school constantly), he has a real problem with the idea that one must sit for an extended period of time and actually learn things. In a lot of ways he is stuck at around five or so, because trauma slows and/or stops development. And when you try to teach a (developmentally) five year old algebra, the conversation goes something like this:
Me: Alright kiddo, all you have to do is find the greatest common factor and write the equation in this format.
RB: ….What’s a greatest common factor?
Me: The biggest number that you can factor out of all of these numbers here.
RB: *getting agitated* NO, you don’t understand! What’s factor?
Me: ….dividing. Here’s a 9. What numbers can you divide 9 by?
RB: I don’t know! How do you expect me to know that?!?
Me: *blood pressure rising* Ooookkaayy, first, you may not yell at me. Let’s try dividing 9 by some things and see what works.
RB: But that will take forever! *begins to sob dramatically* We’ll be here all night and I’ll never get to play! *throws pencil*
-Spoiler Alert- We were not there all night. It took an hour.
I’m trying really hard to be patient, because I know how frustrating this is for him as well. Online learning is NOT GOOD with his brain, and an underfunded, overcrowded school does not equal stellar instruction and top notch technology. The websites glitch. The teachers are too busy to actually help. But that means I’m stuck trying to teach algebra (and history, earth science, etc.) to a five year old. I absolutely suck at it. I’m considering becoming a mountain hermit with no children as a potential life path.
The Foster Adoption Letters 