The Daily Prompt:
Which subject in school did you find impossible to master? Did math give you hives? Did English make you scream? Do tell!
The reply:
Math, or Maths as we call it in South Africa. I couldn’t do it then, and I still can’t do it now. In all my years of working, no one has ever asked me to do algebra for them. I do work out a lot of sizes and quantities when I make molds, but ya know, there are calculators in the world.
I can still, very clearly, hear the voice of my math teacher. He was an old man who walked with a walking stick. He would tap hard at my desk with the walking stick, use my surname and say in a loud grating voice “you don’t know what you’re doing!!!” He would then try to explain the stuff to me, but at that stage I was shaking in my boots, so, of course nothing sank into my brain.
It has been a safe practice for me, over the years to employ math tutors for my children for homework. Fortunately, they have much more brains than what I have.
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forms, we spend our lives filling in forms, and more forms every time we do something new, amen, forms and forms, and why, your post reminds me, we can’t put everyone in the same box
So right bw.
*Hugs*
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Once again we are on the same page Michelle 🙂
Just goes to show 🙂
*Hugs*
I know exactly what you mean and it was no fun for me either. I loved Algebra but not Geometry and we had it as one subject. What I did discover was that you get 2 types of teachers in the Mathematics department – the ones that could bring themselves to your level and explain it so you can understand it and then the ones that were so clever but had no idea how to explain it to a child. I believe if you want someone to understand something, you have to go down to their level. I am sure your girls do have your intelligence. You just had the wrong teacher. 😀
♥ Big Hugs ♥
I agree about teachers, Sonel. As for my girls, I hope so, they are brighter than me 🙂
*Big Hugs* ❤
Remember, they’re still young and of course they do take some of our clever braincells before they’re born you know. 😛
Hehehehe 😀
My mom ❤ math. But she had a problem mastering geometry while in school. She couldn't figure out why we had to prove it when we all knew it was there – snorts. XOXO – Bacon
Its good that she ❤ math. 🙂 Thank you Bacon.
*Hugs*
I loved Maths at school, although I think with the Maths they are teaching kids in SA schools now a days, I will definitely have to employ a tutor. Whilst I miss doing the algebra, I certainly love my calculator and am become quite lazy. Have a great day further!
Thanks Miss C. I love my calculator too.
*hugs*
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We have this in common! I still dont get math really but I can use a calculator. Algebra should be an elective. Or trig. The schools force it on the kids here. Most will never need it.
I agree with you, thanks John.
*Hugs*
i was thinking about writing a post for this prompt, but honestly, it brings back memories i prefer not to experience again – even the thought gives me anxiety. yes – MATH – I hate it.
I understand, best not to go there then.
*Big Hug*
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Your right side of the brain is the dominant one! Yes, some teachers can be unkind to their students. Maths is not my strong subject either but not all of us are good at everything. Your girls are very fortunate to have that special tuition. Love and hugs. 🙂
You’re so right, thanks Iris 🙂
*Hugs*
😀 .. Maths .. really i understand what you have gone through 😀
I think many of us feel the same way 🙂
*Hugs*
🙂 May ALLAH bless you ameen
Thank you.
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Lovely read. I am also not much of a math lover, I think this can be stated for most writers. The silver lining is, many that become excited by math, are terrified of English.
That is quite true, now that you mention it.
*Hugs*
Thank you. Needed a hug
Aw, there are plenty of hugs here.
Hope you feel better soon.
Thank you. I hope so too. Have a lovely one
🙂
I agree. Math is the worst. When I taught 4th graders, I was barely able to understand the math even though the answers were in the book!! When I transferred to 3rd grade, I was finally in my comfort zone.
I understand. I must say that the math work my little daughter does now, and she’s in SA Grade 2 is really not what I learnt at school.
*Hugs*
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I can completely relate! I enjoyed reading that 🙂
Glad you did, Lauren 🙂
*Hugs*
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I can’t help my son either… he is in college … far too hard. I can add up and check in shops how much things are , that is enough. 🙂
I find that I can help in Primary school but as soon as they get to high school, then I go blank.
Thaks Ute 🙂
*Hugs*
I was also useless at maths. Strangely enough, when I was working I formulated an equation to do a job for which nobody else had been able to get more than an approximate answer. MBH is the funniest, though. She would arrive at the right answers using the wrong methods, or would arrive at another answer the maths teachers couldn’t prove was wrong, and it would drive them scatty!.
MBH sounds like a genius! Good on you for marrying her and for formulating that equation!
*Hugs*
She has the ability to see more possibilities than the only one the poor mathematician can!
I wish I had done that equation at school – it suddenly convinced me that there was some sense in learning algebra instead of it being useless.
Same here! Maths just made me anxious. I wrote a similar post about Maths for this daily prompt so I totally feel you.
~Mardhiah
There are so many who can relate. Thank you Fun 🙂
*Hugs*
Any subject where study was involved 🙂
I know what you mean, Roly 🙂
*Hugs*
Maths and I just do not get along – we’ve come to an understanding of mutual antipathy and avoid contact at all costs. It was the only subject in school that I had no liking for and it has not endeared itself to me in later years either. Strangely the math involved in economics doesn’t phase me at all – I think because I can see it in direct application. Jenni
Good you can handle economic maths, I didn’t stand a chance there either 🙂
Thanks Jenni.
*Hugs*
maths for me too. hated it, couldn’t fathom algebra, algorithms, fractions etc etc
Oh same here, Ruth 🙂
*Hugs8
I have a couple of things to say–one is that I didn’t really like math at all until I was 40 when I began teaching it as part of the GED course. Then I began to really like it. So perhaps the secret is to just take another look at it later in life–it may be different then. (I also didn’t like olives until I was in my 40’s either–now I love them.)
But I think that sometimes we spend too much time limiting ourselves with words–‘I’m not good at X, I’m just not smart in that area”. I saw an article years ago that said that we often say things like that–but they suggested that a response more often heard in China might be more helpful. “I can’t do math” Response: “What a pity–you just haven’t met the right teacher yet. (One implies there is a finite ability in us–the other says that with a new approach, we can do lots more.). Just a small suggestion that I sometimes think about. 😎
You are so right about what we tell ourselves Julie. I also agree about giving learning a second shot later in life. I have done some extra study recently, and I must admit that I seem to understand so much better now, or my understanding is much better because I feel more settled in myself. I like the thought about not having met the right teacher. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts 🙂
*Hugs*
As I remember, fractions was always my downfall during my school years but it has never stopped me so what do the mathematics teachers know? lol I think if a teacher is willing enough to spend time with a student then the learning is much clearer but then these days and of yesteryear the teachers that cared are and were far and few between, leaving only the brighter students excelling, which is a shame I think.
Thank you for calling into my Space and reading the Dragon script, I haven’t been visiting much lately due to working away from the Internet, but over the next couple of weeks I should be getting back to normal. In the meantime have lots of fun and be good, just like me 😉 lol
Andro xxxx
Thanks for popping in here too Andro, you are always welcome. I have also been on the computer much less lately.
I’ll be good just like you 😉
*Hugs*
xx
I think we deserve some chocolate, I’m buying 🙂 😉
Andro xxxx
😉
So true Hugs. One of my sons grew up to be a high-school math teacher. Math came simple to him and still does, but the interesting thing about him is that he incorporates his math with philosophy and real-word examples of things in which to better understand the reasoning behind such complex things. He starts classes with relaxing music, has the kids relax and makes them think about their purpose. Still he finds ways to add the trigonometry and calculus. Go figure. He is a musician, has a degree in math, loves to talk about dreams, is an artist and is the teacher that has incorporated iPad technology into his school. Wild to think of it… I am lucky if I can just add 2 numbers in my head. Hugs! 🙂
It sounds as though your son is an amazing teacher, mg, and a very talented person. Same here about the adding of numbers. Wishing you a lovely weekend 🙂
*Hugs*
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