We started Operation Math Skills tonight.

Both boys are really in the same place in terms of math skills....somewhere between second and third grade.  So...that's where we are starting.

Here is the list of rules regarding Operation Math Skills:

1. You cannot at any time proclaim you are "not good at math" or you "hate math".
2. You cannot make fun of the other person's math skills.
3. You cannot compare your math skills to the other person.  It doesn't matter who is older or younger, we are learning math.
4. If you are frustrated you will ask for help, not quit.
5. We will keep doing each problem until we have the correct answer.
6. We will not have other distractions like music or TV on while focusing on math.
7. We will work on it a minimum of five days per week until school starts next fall...maybe beyond.
8. Learning is not punishment.

The boys LOVED it.  We did have some trouble with rules #1 and #4, but those are habits and will take a while to get past.

They wanted to keep working on math during dinner and after.  At one point Middle Boy said "this isn't so bad".  I thought he was talking about dinner, but he was actually talking about math.

Both boys are smart boys.  They can do this.  They changed schools so many times during elementary school that they didn't have a chance to learn math with any sort of continuity.

Prayers for learning and understanding.  Prayers for wisdom for me in the best way to help them both.

Praises for a good start.