- How much time does it take to help your 4th grade son with a single math homework problem?
30 seconds – read question… “What two digit numbers that are multiples of 10 solve the equation a x b = 3,500?”
45 seconds – search for son, who wandered away, while you were reading the question…
15 seconds – coax him back to the table to look at the homework question…
20 seconds – reread the question…
20 seconds – ask him his thoughts…
15 seconds – receive a blank stare that seems to say, “That’s why I asked for your help with this problem.” Stupid dad, of course.
30 seconds – for the first time, consider for yourself how to address this problem…
5 seconds – suddenly receive a bolt of inspiration from your very distant 4th grade memory banks…
1 minute – work together to figure out what two numbers can be multiplied to equal 35 (5 x 7) and then make them multiples of 10 (50 x 70)…
2 seconds – exhale as we approach the finish line…
5 seconds – wait… where did he go?… wandered off again…
35 seconds – whine until he returns to the table…
10 seconds – watch with pride, as he writes the answer (50 x 70)…
5 seconds – consider mentioning for the 42nd time his poor penmanship, but reconsider, because this was a victory on the way toward homework completion… no stops on this bullet train streaking toward success…
3 seconds – flash a satisfied smile
Answer – 5 minutes.