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Recalling Algebra Is Tough When it Was 46 Years Ago
When my tutee requested we review some Algebra I concepts, I had to study
My algebra textbook wasn’t quite as old as the one seen in the photo, but I am 60 years old, and studied Algebra I as a ninth-grade student, some 46 years ago.
I went through trigonometry, now frequently called Algebra II, and did well. Since I made an early decision with my college admission to a four-year nursing school, I knew I didn’t need any more formal math instruction.
In high school, I was a decent math student, getting A’s in all my classes and scoring above 95% on all the Regents exams I took at the end of the year.
Two weeks ago, the ESL (English as a Second Language) student I tutor requested we do some review work on algebraic functions.
Huh? Yes, I heard her correctly. She wanted to review algebra functions including linear, exponential, and quadratic functions, as she had just passed into Algebra I from pre-algebra and this was what they were studying in class.
Oh, dear.
My job as her volunteer tutor is to review what she’s learning in her classes and reinforce the subject matter of her choice. We’ve done a lot of work with English Language Arts but now she wants help…
