I discovered that Johann loves solving code puzzles as much as I do, so I’ve been using that to make repeating the multiplication tables and studying spelling words more interesting. I did several puzzles using addition problems to provide the numbers in the legend, which, when used, could translate the spelling words. When he expressed an interest in Morse code, I used that to encode the words. The I Spy Mystery computer game we got for him had a different alphabet code of dots and lines, which was also fun to use.
Once Johann has decoded his words he has them all memorized, in part because of his heightened level of concentration. I’ve had to make simple concepts more complicated in order for it to be interesting enough for him to stop and think about it before. He had a mental block on grasping 2+3=5 until I taught him 20+30=50 when he was little.
In my many hours of boredom in the 6th grade, I taught myself to write backwards. Now I have a use for my untapped talent. In the past I’ve written messages backwards to Johann. He would run into the bathroom to use the mirror to read it. It was a fun game.
In preparation for his last spelling test, I wrote all of his words backwards on a sheet of paper and gave him a mirror. He sat at the table, held the mirror at the right angle, and copied all his words frontwards. He was ready for the test then, but he asked me to make another backwards worksheet, since the first one was so much fun for him. So I created a crossword puzzle, where the words were already in place, but backwards. I made a blank crossword puzzle for him to fill in. I got him started with the first word and he happily spent the next 20 minutes using the mirror to complete the puzzle. Once he had written each word letter by letter, he read it out loud to himself for reinforcement. He loved that one and asked me to do another one for the next set of words.
Our last big deciphering project was for the multiplication tables. True to what he has inherited from me and Eric, Johann has an extremely low tolerance for repetitive, mundane tasks. But I am determined to have him know his multiplication tables inside and out. My third grade teacher did that for me and it benefited me greatly.
While I was poking around Enchantedlearning.com looking for something new to do with Johann, I came across the numbers written in Chinese. A web search helped me find two other educational websites with even more information on writing numbers in Chinese. I learned how to do it, then taught Johann. Each day’s math consisted of one part of the times tables written in Chinese until we had gone from 1 to 12. Johann’s job was to translate the problems and write the correct answers to the equations. He had the idea of writing the answers in Chinese also, which improved it and made it more complete.
This turned out to also be an exercise in accessing and retrieving information. The entire multiplication tables were already in his head in the form of the Schoolhouse Rock songs. I taught him how to use the songs when he got stuck.
Now I’m looking for new codes. It’s going to get harder and harder to top the previous project. For the next spelling test I think I’ll use braille.
2 Comments
Oh, Tammy!! I am laughing out loud reading this! You are going deeper and deeper into the thicket of trying to find challenging exercises to fully develop the concepts in Johann’s mind. I really admire your versatility and tenacity in doing this!! And, it makes me very proud you both: you, because of the length you are going to to make it fun to learn; Johann, because of his willingness to take up the challenge and both meet AND exceed it, seeking more. Good on you both!!!
Thank you so much, Jim! It’s nice to have someone recognize and appreciate what I’m doing with Johann. I enjoy teaching. Sometimes it is a real challenge, though! I think my job is to keep Johann challenged until he’s tapped out what I can effectively teach him. Then we will find the necessary experts to further his learning. Thank you for your support!
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