Reading Ahead

As you know there are only two things that are difficult for a homeschool mom. The first is starting the school day and the second is the rest of the school day. Besides that, life is a breeze. As we enter the higher grades, I can no longer hand my daughter a book and say, "See you in a year for the test!". Now I actually have to learn the material because occasionally she needs assistance.

I almost didn't make it through Algebra, and when we slogged through quadratic equations, I thought I may have reached the end of my capabilities. I know there will come a time in our math career when I will need to barter someone's math expertise for my art expertise. I will teach how to draw a triangle if someone else will teach how to prove that the square of its adjoining legs are equal to the square of the hypotenuse.

But this year we entered Geometry. As you all know because I remind you often of my humility, I do not like to brag, unless of course someone is listening. And while math is not my thing, I did get a perfect grade in Geometry. I believe this is because Geometry involves drawing things. So we entered Geometry happily, glad to close the door on Alg. 1 that was running over into Alg. 2 which did not bring tears of joy to my eyes.

And for the first few chapters all was going well. We were bisecting lines, drawing triangles with compasses, and trying to remember which is the protractor and which is the compass. Then yesterday, I was very busy and told Asherel to do her math on her own. She had been getting all her problems right and seemed to have the same knack for Geometry that I had when I was young(er). Then out of nowhere, I hear weeping and gnashing of teeth, and sackcloth and ashes being pulled out of the Old Testament.

"I don't get this!!!!" I hear, the words that send every excellent home school parent like me into the closet til the father gets home.
This is Geometry? What is not to get? It is basic shapes that occasionally you bisect, as I recall from 40 years ago.
I look at the problem giving her pause. It is a proof, of at least 20 steps, and I don't understand even step one.
So I use the tactic that often works, "Did you read the introduction page?"
She nods.
So I read the introduction page with growing horror. There are all kinds of words that don't even appear to be English. And so many if/then propositions that our tongues are in a tight double knot.
The burgers burn as I sit down and try to decipher. In agony I realize I will need to start hunting our math expert. And then I look at the page number.
"Asherel, this is not where we are. We are a hundred pages back."
"We are?" she asks.
We are. We still have a hundred pages before we reach that indecipherable proof and who knows where I will be in a hundred pages? I could be a famous author by then who will hire a math tutor.
"Asherel," I tell her with wisdom dripping slowly like molasses from my tongue,"This is an important lesson in life. Never read ahead. The page for today has enough troubles of its own."

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

LAST DAY TO VOTE FOR HONEYBUN!!!!!!!!!

> 1. Click on this link:
> http://www.petco.com/content/storiesListheartChampion.aspx?bvcategoryid=1-9
> 2. In upperish right side, select "sort by OLDEST STORIES FIRST"
> 3. Scroll down to bottom and select page "5".
> 4. Scroll down to bottom and select page "6".
> 5. Honeybun is the second story (picture: doge sleeping on pillow,
> covered with a blanket. title: A Last Chance Dog.
> 6. Click on "Read my story and vote"
> 7. Click on the 5th (rightmost) gold medal (it will say "5 stars" when
> you hover over it.)
> 8. On the Righthand side of the page enter your/an email address and
> click the continue button.
> 9. You will be returned to Honeybun's story page.
> 10. Close your BROWSER program (not just the window).
> 11. Repeat steps 1-10.