word problem
September 1, 2012 § 2 Comments
Two nights ago my daughter and I, our heads bent over a piece of classwork, slowly deconstructed the language of a math exercise; painstakingly translating the problem from words into numbers. After cautiously guiding my daughter in a way that allowed her to lead, my daughter crumbled. I was the only one in my group that didn’t know what to do.
If life were a math lesson, in this equation: Knowing was greater than Learning. In my mind, Learning is the product of Not Knowing and Trying.
This may be a difficult year for my youngest scholar. She must become more comfortable with accepting what does not come easily and embracing uncertainty. I feel her anxiety as clearly as I recognize her ability. She will, she can, she is able.
I am marking this moment for her to better gauge her growth and to celebrate the value of her effort in days to come.
scribblechic 
Learning is so much more valuable than Knowing.
Those who do things effortlessly are lost when they come across a problem they don’t “see”.
Those who learn to approach a problem systematically acquire the tools to solve anything, besides learning patience and perseverance.
Agreed. I am very grateful that my daughter is learning this lesson earlier in life rather than later. I view each challenge as a rung in a ladder leading to a future informed by an open mind that embraces obstacles in search of answers. Thank you so much for commenting.