"Homework Doesn't Get Any Better..."

An ADHD mom writes..."My daughter is in 8th grade and is doing Algebra! Her homework last night was to solve quadratic equations with variables on each side. Of course, I had to refer to the textbook (which she gets to keep at home thanks to her 504 accommodation!) to help her with it. She used a large (24"x18") white wipe board and colored markers (lime green, bright pink, yellow) to work out the problems. The wipe board makes it easy for me to watch how she is working the problem out because she writes bigger than she could on her binder paper, and it makes it easy for her to erase a mistake quickly (and not get distracted) so she can get back to solving the problem. The colored markers keep it fun--and when she gets bored with one color, she moves on to the next one! Once she has solved the equation, I copy it down onto the binder paper for her (being a secretary for my children has helped them tremendously!). This method has made math homework a creative and fun "game" instead of another rigid activity. We even sit on the living room floor, reclining against the sofa, drinking chocolate milk shakes. Homework doesn't get any better than this!"

Don't miss one of the great hints imbedded in this: the large writing surface, colored markers, reteaching, the parental supervision, "being a secretary", making homework relaxing and fun...What great hints - and what a great mom! I'm afraid that Algebra was never this fun at my house. Maybe we should have tried chocolate milk shakes.